New York has reached 6 GW of distributed solar built in the state, marking an early achievement of its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act statutory goal. The solar power generation, which benefits homes, business owners and off-takers of community solar projects, is enough to power more than 1 million homes.
“Today we celebrate the early achievement of New York’s 6-GW milepost, which brings us one step closer to a reliable and resilient zero-emission grid,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “Distributed solar is at the heart of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the availability of renewable energy, and delivering substantial benefits for our health, our environment and our economy.”
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) president and CEO Doreen M. Harris made the announcement at a distributed solar project in the town of New Scotland. The project, developed by New Leaf Energy and owned by Generate Capital, is a 5.7-MW solar array enough energy annually to power nearly 1,000 homes.
“As the top community solar market in the nation, New York State has provided a replicable model for others to deliver clean, low-cost renewable energy to more consumers,” Harris said. “Our public-private partnerships are the catalysts which have helped us to achieve our 6-GW goal well ahead of target, trailblazing New York’s path to an equitable energy transition.”
New York is increasing access to solar to low-income households through the Solar for All pilot program, which is administered through NYSERDA. Solar for All lets solar project developers partner with utility National Grid to provide additional bill savings to low-income customers in its Energy Affordability Program. The Public Service Commission has approved an order to replicate NYSERDA’s Solar for All pilot program statewide, including solar projects in National Grid, ConEdison, Orange and Rockland, New York State Electric and Gas, Central Hudson Gas & Electric and Rochester Gas and Electric utility territories.
The statewide Solar for All program delivers an electric bill credit to EAP customers. The long-term program design is driving continued community solar and storage growth and directs the benefits of that growth to New York State’s low-income residents.
In April 2024, NYSERDA was selected to receive nearly $250 million from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All program to enhance New York’s existing portfolio of solar deployment, technical assistance and workforce development programs for the benefit of over 6.8 million residents of the state that live in low-income households and disadvantaged communities. As part of the grant funding, the New York State Housing and Community Renewal, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and New York City Housing Preservation and Development will also implement new programs that target specific barriers to solar deployment for this population.
News item from NYSERDA
