ALBANY, NY, Feb. 22 – The passage of an amendment ensuring all consumers can install and net meter on-site renewable energy systems will spur greater solar investment and green job creation, according to the New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) that supported it.

 

“NYSEIA praises the Assembly, Senate and Governor’s office for coming together to pass the net metering amendment that takes the law back to its original intent of allowing any consumer in New York to net meter up to 2 MWs,” said NYSEIA Executive Director Gail Markels.

 

Net metering is an electricity policy for consumers who own generally small renewable energy facilities. Under net metering, a system owner receives retail credit for at least a portion of the electricity they generate.

 

In recognition of the need to allow all customers the ability to net meter, New York’s net metering law was expanded in 2008 to cover non-residential customers installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and wind energy.

 

The prior law contained language that prevented many customers from installing appropriately-sized systems. The passed amendment lifts restrictions that limit the size of a non-residential customer’s system, as long the system is not larger than two thousand kilowatts. The Senate today followed last week’s Assembly approval of the bill.

 

“This bill allows customers willing to invest in on-site systems as a hedge against future energy prices an opportunity to do so while contributing to statewide environmental protection, energy security and economic development goal,” said NYSEIA President Ron Kamen, senior vice president of Earth Kind Solar in Kingston.

 

NYSEIA recognized that in recent months state political leaders from both sides have joined forces to support green job initiatives. Last month, the Governor announced a historic state solar energy initiative that will advance development of solar technologies, create clean energy jobs and drive economic growth.

 

“The net metering amendment is another positive step in the right direction to continue the positive momentum we are building in establishing NY as a solar leader,” Kamen said. “We look forward to working with legislators as we present a state solar plan that will move us toward meeting our goals of  2,000 MWs by 2020 and 5,000 MWs (5 GW) by 2025.”

 

The New York Solar Energy Industries Association, founded in 1994, is the only statewide non-profit membership and trade association dedicated solely to advancing solar energy use in New York State. For information, visit http://www.nyseia.org

 

 

Ron Kamen                 (917) 453-5740          ron.kamen@earthkindsolar.com

Sandy Frinton             (845) 454-3895           NYSolarNews@gmail.com