New York Power Authority expected to make RFP for 100-Megawatt Solar Power Initiative

Two new announcements this past week will help stimulate the solar market in New York State:

• $10 million in new stimulus funding through NYSERDA for solar projects 

• NYPA expected to make formal RFP this year for 100-Megawatt Solar Power Initiative  

The two programs will contribute to the State's goal of meeting 45 percent of the State's electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and renewable energy by 2015.  It is estimated that the expanded use of clean energy technologies will create some 50,000 new jobs in New York. 

 $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding is now available through a competitive statewide solicitation for solar energy projects in New York State. The funding is available through NYSERDA's State Energy Program (SEP) to fund the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. 

Additionally, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) is expected to make a formal request for proposals later this year for a 100-megawatt solar initiative, which would increase the State's current installed solar capacity five-fold.  

The $10 million in ARRA funding is designed to help build a sustainable solar industry in New York State by promoting the installation of high quality solar power systems and deploying clean energy technology. The program will provide incentives for PV systems that are connected to New York's energy grid.

Separately, NYPA plans to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) sometime this winter for 100 MW of solar power development.  Systems would be owned and operated by developers and NYPA would purchase electricity on behalf of customers under a solar power purchase agreement.  The possible sites include public and private schools, municipal government buildings, state agencies, and community-owned municipal electric systems and rural cooperatives. In some instances, the solar power could also provide support for the local electric distribution grid.

For more information about NYSERDA.s Capacity-Based Incentive Program (PON 1686), visit http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1686pon.asp . 

For more information on other NYSERDA administered ARRA funding opportunities, visit http://www.nyserda.org/economicrecovery/arrafunding.asp

For more information on the plans for the 100 MW of solar power development, the RFEI can be accessed on the NYPA Web site at www.nypa.gov/100mwSolarRFEI.htm

For the complete story:

http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/press_1007093.html