The state’s multiple solar programs are
transitioning to the single, statewide NY-Sun
Incentive Program, an effort designed to support
the vibrant solar economy through the
$1 billion NY-Sun initiative.
State officials said it will significantly expand
deployment of solar energy across the
state, add more than 3,000 megawatts to the
state’s solar energy capacity and ultimately
transform New York’s solar market into a
self-sustaining industry.
“Merging these programs into the NY-Sun
Incentive Program will stimulate development
of solar projects across this state, and
sends a clear message that New York is a
leader in solar energy innovation,” Gov. Andrew
Cuomo said.
“This approach will help
the industry plan for the future, spur new
development and aid in New York’s transition
to a cleaner, cheaper and more efficient
energy grid.”
The plan involves deploying public funds
in a strategic manner to drive industry to
scale and reduce burdens on ratepayers, the
governor said. The program provides financial
support for solar projects and uses a proven
MW block system approach that is responsive
to changing market conditions, allowing the
solar market in each region of the state to
grow at its own pace.
Officials said it will eliminate incentives
sooner in regions where the market conditions
can support it, based on market penetration,
customer demand, and payback. The
program expects to add more than 3,000 MW
of installed solar capacity in the state by 2023.
John B. Rhodes, president and CEO, New
York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA), said, “The days
of start-and-stop solar incentive programs
are over. The NY-Sun Incentive Program
will provide much needed funding certainty
and transparency to the market to stimulate
continued private sector growth of the solar
industry.”
State officials said the megawatt block
system divides the state into three regions –
Con Edison territory, Long Island and Upstate.
Each region is assigned separate MW blocks
and incentive levels for residential solar
projects up to 25 kilowatts (kW) and small
non-residential solar projects up to 200 kW.
When the megawatt target for the first
block in each sector (residential or small
non-residential) within a region is reached,
that block is closed and a new block for the
sector is started with a new megawatt target
and a lower incentive level. Once all of the
blocks for a particular region and sector are
filled, an incentive for that region and sector
will no longer be offered.
NYSERDA will work closely with PSEG
Long Island, which will locally administer
the program on Long Island, New York Power
Authority staff and the photovoltaic industry
during the transition. The megawatt blocks
and incentives for large commercial systems
over 200 kW will be available in 2015.
Customers can access financing for solar
projects through Green Jobs-Green New York.
“The NY-Sun Incentive Program is another
dimension to New York State’s efforts to advance
the use of clean solar power installations.
Its structure of reducing incentives as
specific goals are achieved makes this truly
a model incentive program – and one that
will benefit New Yorkers across the state,
including New York Power Authority customers,”
said Gil C. Quiniones, New York Power
Authority (NYPA) president and CEO.
While growth of solar in the residential
sector has been very successful on Long Island,
small non-residential solar growth has
been slower. The NY-Sun Incentive Program
increases the size of non-residential systems
eligible for incentives from 100 kW to 200
kW and also provides incentives for nonresidential
systems that are installed through
Power Purchase Agreements and leases, a strategy that is expected to stimulate market
investment.
NY-Sun is a comprehensive initiative that
includes components in addition to the MW
block system, such as:
• NYS Unified Solar Permit and the Photovoltaic
Trainers Network to work with local
officials to streamline solar inspection and
permitting processes and to help firefighters
and other first-responders safely work on
buildings where solar is installed;
• Community Solar/K-Solar to provide communities
and schools with the tools and expertise
to bring solar energy to their communities
and school facilities and to help schools act as
community hubs for solar education;.
• Low- to Moderate-Income Photovoltaic
Working Group to identify ways to make solar
accessible for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers.
• Consumer education so potential solar
customers understand photovoltaic options.
• Photovoltaic balance-of-system research
and development projects supported by NYSERDA
and the New York Power Authority
to reduce costs of photovoltaic components
other than the solar module;
New York Power Authority’s support for
increased solar use has also included its Solar
Market Acceleration Program, which reduces
solar balance-of-system costs in the state.
In the first two years of NY-Sun, a total of
316 megawatts of solar photovoltaic has been
installed or is under contract, more than was
installed in the entire prior decade, according
to the state.
For more information about the NY-Sun Incentive
Program, visit www.ny-sun.ny.gov.