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NY-Sun Gets Stronger with $54M Second Round Funding
Green Technology Featured Articles
July 10, 2013

NY-Sun Gets Stronger with $54M Second Round Funding

By Cheryl Kaften
TMCnet Contributor

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo this week announced that $54 million has been awarded under his NY-Sun initiative for 79 large-scale solar energy projects across the state. The new projects will add 64 megawatts (MW) to the state’s solar capacity—for a total of 299 MW of photovoltaic generation installed or under development as part of the NY-Sun Competitive PV Program.


According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), for the year 2012, New York ranked among the top 10 states in the nation in terms of solar capacity, largely because of NY-Sun, a public-private partnership dedicated to driving growth of the solar industry and making technology more affordable for all residents. The large-scale part of the program provides incentives for PV systems larger than 50 kilowatts and is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Funding per project is capped at $3 million, and all projects require co-funding to leverage state resources.

As a result of the NY-Sun initiative, more PV systems are now being deployed in the state than in the prior decade. The $54 million from the State, awarded through a competitive program, leverages $120 million in private investment, resulting in roughly $174 million in infrastructure projects.


Above, thanks to NY-Sun, the 32 MW Long Island Solar Farm installation is part of the largest solar energy project in New York State, the largest photovoltaic array in the eastern U.S., and among the largest in the nation constructed on federal property (photo courtesy of NY-Sun).

Job Creation

“With these major investments through the NY-Sun initiative, New York State is leading the nation in solar energy generation, addressing climate change and growing our clean energy economy,” Cuomo said. “Not only will these projects benefit our environment by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and using renewable energy, but they are also creating well-paying jobs for New Yorkers. These are necessary investments for a bright future in our state.” 

The announcement this week includes awards to 20 recipients to finance projects at 79 large-scale solar energy sites in 26 counties across the state. Installations will be located at businesses, factories, municipal buildings, colleges and other larger commercial and industrial companies and institutions. Some projects taking full advantage of this construction season may be ready for operations by the end of this year, but most are expected to be completed in the first half of next year.

“Governor Cuomo's NY-Sun initiative has led to unprecedented demand for solar power among large electric consumers. Less than two years old, this is a great success story for New York," said Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO of NYSERDA. "The investments we are making in solar power will help businesses around the state control and reduce their utility expenses, while increasing the amount of electricity the state gets from renewable energy and reducing demand on the electric grid.”

Second Round of Funding

The awards represent the second of three rounds of the NY-Sun Competitive PV solicitation, which is a key component of New York’s Renewable Portfolio Standard program. Proposals for the third round are due August 29.

Due to a steady decline in solar costs in the past two years, incentive amounts have been reduced, allowing for more projects to be awarded. In the past two years, the portfolio-weighted average incentive has dropped from $1.30 per watt to $0.93 per watt, then to $0.88 per watt. Today’s awards represent a portfolio-weighted average incentive of $0.84 per watt, or about 31 percent of the cost to build these projects.

The projects are meant to produce power for on-site use—not for direct sale to utilities. Under certain circumstances, however, unused power can be provided to the grid in exchange for future utility credit.

Potential Solar Sites

Potential locations of solar energy sites, pending approval of permitting and other requirements, by region include:

  • Capital Region: 10 sites, including Raymour & Flanigan stores in Clifton Park, Saratoga County, and Niskayuna and Schenectady counties;
  • Central New York: six sites, including one at SUNY–Cortland;
  • Finger Lakes: 11 sites, including one at Rochester Institute of Technology (News - Alert) and one at Wegmans Food Markets corporate headquarters, both in Rochester and Monroe counties;
  • Mid-Hudson: 23 sites, including Raymour & Flanigan stores in Suffern and Rockland counties, and Middletown and, Orange (News - Alert) counties;
  • New York City: 15 sites, including Related Companies’ Bronx Terminal Market and HUB Retail and Office Center in the Bronx, College Point in Queens and Gateway (News - Alert) Center in Brooklyn; and a Sunlight Clinton Realty LLC/Sunshine Lighting project in Brooklyn;
  • North Country: two sites, including one at Clarkson University in Potsdam,;
  • Southern Tier: three sites, including one at Cornell University in Ithaca; and
  • Western New York: nine sites, including one at Cummins Inc.’s Jamestown Engine Plant.

The solar developers or host sites that served as prime applicants receiving these awards include: Absolutely Energized Solar Electric Inc., Community Energy Solar LLC, Distributed Sun LLC, Empire City Casino/Yonkers Raceway, EnterSolar LLC, Hanwha Solar Energy America, HelioSage, Jordan Energy, Manheim Remarketing Inc., National Grid Energy Management LLC, Nautilus Solar Energy, OnForce Solar Inc., Safari Energy LLC, Smart Energy Capital LLC, SoCore Solar New York Project 2 LLC, Solar Liberty Energy Systems Inc., SolarCity, SunConnect, SunEdison Commercial Solutions LLC and Sustainable Energy Developments Inc.

Clean Energy (News - Alert) Portfolio

Clarkson University President Tony Collins said, “Clarkson University is committed to being a green campus – in our facilities, in the way that we operate, in our curriculum; and in the experiential learning opportunities and research undertaken by our students, faculty and staff. Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative provides another avenue to build the knowledge base in sustainable technologies and demonstrate energy alternatives for our communities. Renewable energy is vital to our state’s economic prosperity, our national security and the stewardship of our natural environment.” 

Cornell’s vice president for Facilities Services, KyuJung Whang, said, “We are pleased to partner with NYSERDA and Distributed Sun LLC to launch Cornell’s first large-scale solar project. This facility, pending municipal approvals, represents a significant step to advance Cornell’s clean energy portfolio. The Lansing solar facility aligns with the carbon reduction goals of Cornell, Tompkins County and New York State.”

NYSERDA also offers a smaller-scale solar PV program under the NY-Sun initiative. This program offers $4.8 million per month through 2013. This standard offer, non-competitive open enrollment program provides funding for systems up to seven kilowatts for residential sites and up to 50 kilowatts for non-residential sites.

This year, Cuomo proposed legislation to extend NY-Sun through 2023 (the program is currently funded through 2015), but the state legislature has not yet passed the bill. The administration will continue to work with the legislature and explore administrative options to continue the tremendous success of NY-Sun beyond its current program horizon of 2015.


Edited by Alisen Downey


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