NYSEIA News

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced that $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding has been awarded to allow seven solar energy companies to install solar photovoltaic systems (PV) on homes and businesses throughout New York State.

These funds will support the continued growth of New York’s clean energy economy and help New York meet Governor David Paterson’s goals of achieving 45 percent of our energy needs through renewable energy and improved energy efficiency by 2015.  

“The award of this federal grant is testament to New York’s continued commitment from all sectors to expand solar energy production, reduce our carbon footprint, and build our clean energy economy,” said Governor Paterson.  “I applaud President Obama and the entire Congressional delegation for working to make this critical funding available.”

“These federal resources will continue to bolster New York’s solar industry and help make New York a leader in renewable energy installations,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA.  “I applaud our federal delegation for securing the funding to support a program that will improve New York’s energy security, help realize the Governor’s clean energy agenda to create jobs, and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”

The seven companies were competitively selected.  They include: Alteris Renewables, Inc. (Menands), Hudson Valley Clean Energy, Inc. (Rhinebeck), Global Resource Options (groSolar) (Albany), Solar Energy Systems (Brooklyn), and Tioga Energy (San Mateo, CA).  It is anticipated that ARRA funded residential and non-residential PV projects will add approximately six megawatts of clean renewable capacity at a weighted average incentive of $1.60 per watt of electricity.  Over 600 homes and many businesses will have PV installed over the next two years.

The availability of Recovery Act funding to support PV technology through the State Energy Program is well timed.  Demand for PV systems in New York State has been growing steadily since 2003. In 2009, applications for NYSERDA’s PV incentives more than doubled over the prior year to $61 million.  These incentives, funded through the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) have benefited 882 residents, 235 businesses, and 204 non-profit institutions.  This growth has both increased the use of a sustainable energy source and strengthened the clean energy economy with a more than 70 percent increase in the number of contractors participating in the program.  

In December 2009, the Public Service Commission (PSC), acting on a goal set by Governor Paterson, expanded the RPS goal to increase the proportion of renewable electricity used by New Yorkers from 25 percent to 30 percent by 2015.  The PSC also authorized an approximately $200 new Main-Tier solicitation for large-scale electric generating projects to commence as soon as practicable.  These actions, which reflect a continued commitment to support the development of various renewable energy technologies, will help achieve the Governor’s ‘45 by 15’ clean energy goal.  Under the Governor’s ‘45 by 15’ goal, in addition to obtaining 30 percent of our electricity through renewable technologies, another 15 percent will be obtained through energy efficiency measures.
 
CONTACT:  Jeffrey Gordon, NYSERDA
                  518-862-1090 ext. 3331
                  jrg@nyserda.org

Last changed: Jan 21 2010