NY-Sun will be awarding for large solar electric projects that will increase the solar capacity in New York State by more than 214 megawatts, a 68 percent increase over the amount of solar installed and in the pipeline at the end of 2013.
The new capacity is planned for 142 project sites. This round will give out $94 million in renewable funding for these projects. This also has a cost share of $375 million from the private sources.
A total of 50 project sites are located at businesses; 41 at schools and school districts; 36 at municipal and other government facilities; and 15 at nonprofits, health care institutions and colleges.“The results of this solicitation highlight the success of Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative in driving a significant increase in solar power in the State, and the large interest from school districts is an indicator of the success we can expect from NY-Sun’s new K-Solar program, which focuses specifically on solar projects at schools,” said John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. “NY-Sun is mobilizing private investment in this clean renewable resource as New York State continues to build clean energy systems that are resilient, reliable and affordable.”
Strong response from developers has continued with projects in strategic locations where the installation of new solar systems is expected to provide benefits to the electric distribution system. Five awarded projects went beyond solar, integrating energy efficiency and energy storage into their bids, an option available for the first time.
Many of the sites receiving awards will use remote net metering, which allows eligible renewable energy system owners that produce more energy than they consume at one location annually to accrue credits that can be used to offset other electric accounts under their name.
“The NY-Sun awards announced by Governor Cuomo underscore the tremendous strides that are being made to greatly increase the amount of clean solar electricity capacity in New York State,” said Gil C. Quiniones, President and Chief Executive Officer of New York Power Authority. “The competitive photovoltaic program leading to these awards also reflects a strategic approach for lowering solar power costs and spurring the private sector’s investments in this clean renewable power source.”
The New York Power Authority continues to work closely with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to bring about further integration of solar power through initiatives to reduce solar costs. This includes a newly introduced K-Solar Program, in partnership with the New York State Education Department.
Under the NY-Sun Competitive PV Program, installers submit proposals for funding based on commitments from companies interested in having PV installed at their sites and the proposed incentive for each PV project.
NUMBER OF PLANNED PROJECT SITES BY REGION:
New York City
There are 32 projects sites in New York City: three in the Bronx, 10 in Brooklyn, four in Manhattan, 10 in Queens and five in Staten Island – including 24 public schools across the five boroughs.
Hudson Valley
There are 23 project sites in the Hudson Valley: one in Dutchess County, four in Orange County, one in Putnam County, two in Rockland County, two in Sullivan County and 13 in Westchester County – including President Container in Middletown and Dutchess County Airport.
Capital Region
There are 18 project sites in the Capital Region: two in Albany County, five in Columbia County, two in Rensselaer County, six in Saratoga County, and one each in Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties — including the Town of Moreau Industrial Park, Town of Halfmoon, Mohawk Fine Paper in Cohoes, Environment One Corp. in Niskayuna and Emma Willard School in Troy.
Mohawk Valley
There are 20 project sites in the Mohawk Valley: one in Fulton County, six in Herkimer County, seven in Oneida County, one in Otsego County and five in Schoharie County – including three sites in the City of Utica, one site at the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and one site in the City of Amsterdam.
North Country
There are six project sites in the North Country: one in Clinton County, three in Jefferson County and two in St. Lawrence County – including ConMed Corp. in Philadelphia (St. Lawrence County), Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, and Plattsburgh Airport.
Southern Tier
There are eight project sites in the Southern Tier, two in Broome County and six in Tompkins County — including Volcraft of NY in Chemung, Vanguard Printing in Ithaca and the Ithaca Thompkins Regional Airport.
Central New York
There are 13 project sites in Central New York: one in Cortland County, three in Madison County, seven in Onondaga County and two in Oswego County – including the Liverpool School District (Onondaga County), Onondaga County and ConMed Corp. in Sullivan (Madison County).
Finger Lakes
There are 13 project sites in the Finger Lakes: one in Genesee County, one in Livingston County, six in Monroe County, four in Ontario County and one in Wayne County – including Hobart and William Smith College and the Avon Central School District in Avon (Livingston County).
Western New York
There were nine project sites in Western New York: two in Cattaraugus County and seven in Erie County – including the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus in Buffalo.
This is expected to be the final solicitation under the Competitive PV program. Plans are under development to incorporate projects larger 200 MW into the recently announced statewide NY-Sun Incentive Program starting in 2015 through 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. The NY-Sun Incentive Program strategically deploys public funds to drive industry to scale and reduce burdens on ratepayers.
Source: New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
