The project will encompass both roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar arrays. Targeted facilities are schools, public universities and colleges, State and local government facilities, municipal electric utilities and rural electric cooperatives. When fully installed, this project will be the largest solar initiative in State history and will generate the equivalent of powering approximately 15,000 homes. It is estimated that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 45,000 tons per year.
The initiative is also expected to help develop large scale "community solar" projects to connect to the distribution systems of municipal utilities and rural electric cooperatives. These kinds of projects can provide to electric grids nearing capacity, and can also help alleviate the need for capital-intensive facility upgrades.
The Power Authority is now soliciting proposals from developers to install, own and operate PV arrays, and to sell all the energy and environmental attributes to NYPA subject to a 20-year power purchase agreement. NYPA will then enter into contracts with the project site hosts for the distribution of green power. It is anticipated that the installation of some of these projects could begin 2010 and be completed by the end of 2014.
The RFP calls for bids related to four separate categories and five separate regions. Bidders can submit proposals for one or more regions in one or more categories. The categories include: government facilities, including public colleges and universities; public and private K-12 schools; and parking lot canopies at any governmental, educational facilities and facilities in the municipal and rural cooperative territories. The regions are Western New York, Northern New York, Central New York, Southeast New York and New York City. The deadline for RFP responses is April 9. Recommendations for an award are expected to be made at the September meeting of NYPA's Board of Trustees.
For more info, or to register for more information on the program:
www.nypa.gov/solar/100mw or www.nypasolarrfp.org
Read the Syracuse Post Standard story about the announcement at SUNY ESF.
NYPA provides low-cost electricity to governmental agencies, municipal electric systems, manufacturers and to investor-owned utilities for resale without profit. It operates 18 generating facilities across the state. It is considered a national leader in the field of energy services, clean and renewable energy technologies, and the promotion of energy efficience, and has committed more than $100 million per year to energy services with cumulative investments of more than $1.1 billion since the program's inception.
