State-supported solar power projects in New York increased nearly 800 percent from December 2011 to December 2016 says the state’s Governor, Andrew Cuomo.
64,926 installations were in place by the end of last year, compared with 9,079 through the end of 2011.
Collectively, the state-supported PV projects total nearly 744 megawatts of solar power capacity, enough to meet the electricity requirements of more than 121,000 average homes.
There’s also a stack of solar in the pipeline – more than 886 MW of additional capacity was under development in the State as of the end of last year, which is enough to power more than 150,000 average homes.
As well as falling prices and other factors, much of the uptake has been spurred on by Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative, which was launched in 2012. The initiative has a goal of adding more than three gigawatts of installed solar capacity in the state by 2023.
“New York is a national leader in clean energy, and the tremendous growth of the solar industry across this state demonstrates this renewable technology’s increased accessibility and affordability for residents and businesses,” Governor Cuomo said.
New York’s solar revolution has triggered a related jobs boom, with more than 8,000 now working in the industry. The support provided by the state has also leveraged nearly USD $1.5 billion in private investment.
“Our investments in this clean energy resource create jobs, reduce carbon emissions, support economic growth, and help build a cleaner, greener New York for all,” said the Governor.
Leading the way in New York is Long Island, with 28,000 solar projects installed by the end of 2016; representing more than 260 megawatts capacity – enough to power more than 35,000 average homes. The region is the first in New York to meet the State’s megawatt block target for the residential market.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, New York has consistently been in the top 10 US solar markets.
NY-Sun is part of Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), which seeks to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050.
