$30 Million Awarded to Developers for Solar-Power Projects

Funding Will Support Large-Scale Solar Projects in Downstate Area

A total of $30 million has been awarded to 16 developers to finance large-scale photovoltaic (PV) projects at multiple sites in New York City and the lower Hudson Valley.

As part of the Governor's NY-Sun initiative, the funding will assist businesses and other facilities in generating electricity from solar power.

The funding is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority through the Renewable Portfolio Standard Customer-Sited Tier Regional Program.

Projects under this program are sited at manufacturing facilities, colleges and universities, schools, department stores, apartment complexes and other locations.

The developers awarded funding today will develop an installed capacity of 34 MW of solar to be online in 2013.

"These awards will help large commercial and industrial businesses to invest in solar power, stimulating economic development while helping reduce use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gases emissions,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo.

"Through the NY-Sun program, the state continues to be a leader in the development of solar energy and making solar power a more attractive option for businesses. These investments will help create green jobs, while protecting the environment and leading to a more sustainable future for our state."

The solar developers receiving these awards consist of: American Capital Energy Inc., Dynamic Solar LLC, EmPower Solar CES LLC, EnterSolar LLC, GreenLogic LLC, Lighthouse Solar, Mercury Solar Systems Inc., OnForce Solar Inc., Orion Energy Systems Inc., Ross Solar Group LLC, Safari Energy LLC, Solar Energy Systems LLC, Solartech Renewable Systems LLC, SunEdison Commercial Solutions LLC, SunWize Technologies Inc., and TriState Solar Alliance.

The NY-Sun Initiative was first outlined by the Governor in his 2012 State of the State Address. The initiative is designed to double the amount of customer-sited solar power installed annually in New York in 2012, and quadruple that amount by 2013. 

"NYSERDA has received an enthusiastic response again to this program confirming that solar power can help the metropolitan New York City area in addressing the challenge of meeting its energy, environmental and reliability needs,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO, NYSERDA.  

“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, we are poised to expand this program upstate providing greater energy independence to New York by increasing the state’s renewable-energy portfolio while reducing demand on the electric grid.”

"We remain committed to the growth of renewable energy projects, including solar, in the metro New York City area, as well as the rest of the state. Developing renewable energy resources is a primary goal of the Commission,” noted Garry Brown, Chairman of the state Public Service Commission.

Programs that encourage and strengthen renewable resources will help ensure a cleaner environment. In addition, developing renewable resources will enable us to guide and direct our energy future."

Last year, through this program, NYSERDA awarded more than $30 million across 22 contracts in support of 26.62 MW of solar PV projects.

The projects are meant to produce power for on-site use, not for direct sale to utilities. Under certain circumstances, however, unused power can be added to the grid in exchange for future utility credit.

Image courtesy of http://free-realestate.org/english/07-clipart/125-solar-panels.html.