The state’s multiple solar programs are
\ntransitioning to the single, statewide NY-Sun
\nIncentive Program, an effort designed to support
\nthe vibrant solar economy through the
\n$1 billion NY-Sun initiative.<\/p>\n
State officials said it will significantly expand
\ndeployment of solar energy across the
\nstate, add more than 3,000 megawatts to the
\nstate’s solar energy capacity and ultimately
\ntransform New York’s solar market into a
\nself-sustaining industry.<\/p>\n
“Merging these programs into the NY-Sun
\nIncentive Program will stimulate development
\nof solar projects across this state, and
\nsends a clear message that New York is a
\nleader in solar energy innovation,” Gov. Andrew
\nCuomo said.
\n“This approach will help
\nthe industry plan for the future, spur new
\ndevelopment and aid in New York’s transition
\nto a cleaner, cheaper and more efficient
\nenergy grid.”<\/p>\n
The plan involves deploying public funds
\nin a strategic manner to drive industry to
\nscale and reduce burdens on ratepayers, the
\ngovernor said. The program provides financial
\nsupport for solar projects and uses a proven
\nMW block system approach that is responsive
\nto changing market conditions, allowing the
\nsolar market in each region of the state to
\ngrow at its own pace.<\/p>\n
Officials said it will eliminate incentives
\nsooner in regions where the market conditions
\ncan support it, based on market penetration,
\ncustomer demand, and payback. The
\nprogram expects to add more than 3,000 MW
\nof installed solar capacity in the state by 2023.<\/p>\n
John B. Rhodes, president and CEO, New
\nYork State Energy Research and Development
\nAuthority (NYSERDA), said, “The days
\nof start-and-stop solar incentive programs
\nare over. The NY-Sun Incentive Program
\nwill provide much needed funding certainty
\nand transparency to the market to stimulate
\ncontinued private sector growth of the solar
\nindustry.”<\/p>\n
State officials said the megawatt block
\nsystem divides the state into three regions –
\nCon Edison territory, Long Island and Upstate.
\nEach region is assigned separate MW blocks
\nand incentive levels for residential solar
\nprojects up to 25 kilowatts (kW) and small
\nnon-residential solar projects up to 200 kW.<\/p>\n
When the megawatt target for the first
\nblock in each sector (residential or small
\nnon-residential) within a region is reached,
\nthat block is closed and a new block for the
\nsector is started with a new megawatt target
\nand a lower incentive level. Once all of the
\nblocks for a particular region and sector are
\nfilled, an incentive for that region and sector
\nwill no longer be offered.<\/p>\n
NYSERDA will work closely with PSEG
\nLong Island, which will locally administer
\nthe program on Long Island, New York Power
\nAuthority staff and the photovoltaic industry
\nduring the transition. The megawatt blocks
\nand incentives for large commercial systems
\nover 200 kW will be available in 2015.<\/p>\n
Customers can access financing for solar
\nprojects through Green Jobs-Green New York.<\/p>\n
“The NY-Sun Incentive Program is another
\ndimension to New York State’s efforts to advance
\nthe use of clean solar power installations.
\nIts structure of reducing incentives as
\nspecific goals are achieved makes this truly
\na model incentive program – and one that
\nwill benefit New Yorkers across the state,
\nincluding New York Power Authority customers,”
\nsaid Gil C. Quiniones, New York Power
\nAuthority (NYPA) president and CEO.<\/p>\n
While growth of solar in the residential
\nsector has been very successful on Long Island,
\nsmall non-residential solar growth has
\nbeen slower. The NY-Sun Incentive Program
\nincreases the size of non-residential systems
\neligible for incentives from 100 kW to 200
\nkW and also provides incentives for nonresidential
\nsystems that are installed through
\nPower Purchase Agreements and leases, a strategy that is expected to stimulate market
\ninvestment.<\/p>\n
NY-Sun is a comprehensive initiative that
\nincludes components in addition to the MW
\nblock system, such as:<\/p>\n
\u2022 NYS Unified Solar Permit and the Photovoltaic
\nTrainers Network to work with local
\nofficials to streamline solar inspection and
\npermitting processes and to help firefighters
\nand other first-responders safely work on
\nbuildings where solar is installed;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Community Solar\/K-Solar to provide communities
\nand schools with the tools and expertise
\nto bring solar energy to their communities
\nand school facilities and to help schools act as
\ncommunity hubs for solar education;.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Low- to Moderate-Income Photovoltaic
\nWorking Group to identify ways to make solar
\naccessible for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Consumer education so potential solar
\ncustomers understand photovoltaic options.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Photovoltaic balance-of-system research
\nand development projects supported by NYSERDA
\nand the New York Power Authority
\nto reduce costs of photovoltaic components
\nother than the solar module;
\nNew York Power Authority’s support for
\nincreased solar use has also included its Solar
\nMarket Acceleration Program, which reduces
\nsolar balance-of-system costs in the state.<\/p>\n
In the first two years of NY-Sun, a total of
\n316 megawatts of solar photovoltaic has been
\ninstalled or is under contract, more than was
\ninstalled in the entire prior decade, according
\nto the state.<\/p>\n
For more information about the NY-Sun Incentive
\nProgram, visit www.ny-sun.ny.gov.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[66,79,118],"class_list":["post-15682","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-home-energy","tag-business-news","tag-energy","tag-ny-state"],"yoast_head":"\r\n