New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Oct. 17 announced that six gigawatts of distributed solar have been installed across New York, marking the early achievement of the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act statutory goal a year ahead of schedule.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen Harris made the announcement at a distributed solar project in the Town of New Scotland, N.Y.
The project, developed by New Leaf Energy and owned by Generate Capital, includes a 5.7-megawatt solar array that will produce 6.7 million kilowatt-hours of solar energy annually. The project participates in the Solar for All pilot program with utility partner National Grid where the energy harnessed by this project benefits low-income households.
The achievement of New York’s 6-GW goal is underpinned by support from the state’s $3.3 billion NY Sun initiative. The achievement of the 6-GW goal has also generated approximately $9.2 billion in private investment across New York.
In anticipation of the success, three years ago Hochul directed NYSERDA and the Department of Public Service to expand the goal to 10 GW by 2030. With 6 GW now complete, New York continues to be ahead of schedule for reaching the expanded 10-GW goal with almost 3.4 GW already in development.
“Today’s milestone is a testament to the power of strong partnerships in advancing distributed solar projects across New York State. As we work together to expand the deployment of solar energy, NYPA is committed to working with municipalities, school districts, and state entities to build a portfolio of projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide energy savings for our customers," said New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin Driscoll said
Hochul's office noted that New York is the national leader in community solar deployments, allowing renters, low-income residents, and others who cannot install their own panels to benefit from solar energy. In 2023, New York ranked first in the nation in total installed community solar capacity. Last year was also the state’s most productive year ever for solar installations, with 885 MW of capacity installed.
Through NY-Sun, New York makes it easier for low-income households to benefit from solar projects through the first of its kind Solar for All pilot program.
The Solar for All program, which is administered through NYSERDA, allows solar project developers to partner with National Grid to provide additional bill savings to low-income customers in their 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.
Building on this effort, in April 2024, NYSERDA was selected to receive nearly $250 million from the United States Environmental Protection Agency Solar for All program to enhance New York State’s existing portfolio of solar deployment, technical assistance, and workforce development programs for the benefit of over 6.8 million residents 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.
