The state has $107 million to give to local governments and businesses to install photovoltaic systems, Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced. The NY-Sun Competitive PV Program is seeking proposals for large systems (more than 50 kilowatts) to be set up at factories, municipal buildings and other large commercial and industrial customers.
The solar-incentive funding expands a 2-year-old program that focused on large PV systems for the commercial, industrial and municipal sectors in New York City and the lower Hudson Valley. The Competitive PV Program is part of the administration’s NY-Sun Initiative, which strives to double the amount of customer-sited solar power installed each year in the state. The goal is to quadruple what was installed last year by 2013. The NY-Sun Initiative coordinates and expands existing programs administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, New York Power Authority and Long Island Power Authority.
The Energy Research and Development Authority is running the NY-Sun Competitive PV Program. Roughly $36 million will be available this year and about $71 million in 2013. There is a $3 million cap per project, and applicants have to provide some of the funding for the PV system. Applications for the first of three rounds of funding are due Nov. 8. The state has launched a website to provide one-stop shopping for applicants.
“The NY-Sun initiative has helped establish New York State as a leader in solar power, and these investments in photovoltaic systems will allow businesses and municipalities to put in place green, cost-effective electric generating installations,” Cuomo said in a statement. “In addition, these investments will further drive job growth in the state’s clean power industry, and create economic development in communities across New York.”
NYSERDA has also expanded its solar PV program for smaller systems (less than 50 kilowatts). Monthly funding for the program has increased from $2 million to $3.5 million for the rest of the year. It will be $3.1 million a month in 2013. It is not a competitive funding program. Residential sites up to 7 kilowatts can apply for funding in addition to commercial customers.
“Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative will expand and stimulate the growth and deployment of solar technology while at the same time reducing demand on the grid throughout the state, NYSERDA President and CEO Francis Murray said in a statement.
