The New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act of 2011

The New York State Assembly has approved the New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act of 2011, a bill that has the potential to make New York State a leader in Solar energy and create tens of thousands of high quality jobs within the state. The bill, which awaits legislative approval, lays a framework for long-term solar market growth and job creation.

If passed, the bill would develop 5,000 MW of solar photovoltaics, create 22,000 new jobs, generate a $20 billion boost in wages and economic output and dramatically reduce New York's emissions of greenhouse gasses.

For more information visit http://nyseia.org/posts/nyseia-applauds-assembly-energy-committee-passage-of-solar-jobs-and-development-act-64.php.

St. Joseph's Health Center recieves $712,500 for the construction of a new green roof

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation has granted Syracuse, New York's St. Joseph's Health Center $712,500 through the Green Innovation Grant Program. The funding, which comes from the Green Innovation Grant program will be used to construct a green roof on the new emergency services building. The green roof will move St. Josephs a step closer towards becoming Central New York's first LEED certified health care institution.

A total of 39,500 square-feet, St. Josephs green roof will be the biggest of its kind on any health care facility in New York State. The roof is expected to divert more than 550,000 gallons of storm water from going into the municipal storm sewer, while providing superior insulation.

For more information visit http://www.nysefc.org/GreenGrants/GIGPProjects/StJosephsHospitalHealthCenter.aspx.

Senator Gillibrand advocates for a federal tax credit to cataylze wind production in NYS

New York Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand is putting pressure on the federal government to approve an investment tax credit to manufacture wind turbines in vacant automobile plants in Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Ogdensburg. The tax credit would allow for the D'Arcinoff Group to operate four plants in New York, creating as many as 15,000 jobs.

The D'Arcinoff Group has its sights on establishing 15 manufacturing plants throughout the country specializing in the production of wind turbines, water electrolysis, solar thermal and other alternative energy technologies.

For more information visit http://www.nawindpower.com/naw/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.7684.

General Electric grants Clarkson University $1 million for Smart Grid research

General Electric has granted Clarkson University $1 Million to support 11 graduate students conduct collaborative research on GE's Smart Grid Technology. The grant, which lasts two years, has the goal of advancing research on a self-monitoring/self-regulating network of electric power while simultaneously prepping students to enter the energy field. The Clarkson graduate students will work on a wide variety of Smart Grid research, including economic models of energy costs and increasing communication between consumers and the national power grid.

GE's Smart Grid is an important step towards decreasing our nation's emission of carbon dioxide, 34% of which comes from our power grid. Through the employment of Smart Grid Technology, General Electric aims to increase energy generated from renewable resources, accurately detect power outages, and divert electricity during peak load hours/emergencies.

For more information visit http://www.clarkson.edu/news/view.php?id=2645.

NYSEG to evaluate the feasibility of a compressed air project in Reading

New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) has secured $1 million in NYSERDA funding to evaluate the feasibility of a compressed air energy storage facility in Reading, New York. The facility would relieve the power grid by using stored, compressed air to turn turbines.

The evaluation is expected to be completed this year and if feasible, the plant could be online in the next four years.

For more information visit http://www.brightonpittsfordpost.com/latestnews/x481354293/NYSEG-gets-1-million-for-compressed-air-project.

Update: The US Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium secures $62.5 million in federal funding!

The Department of Energy has granted $62.5 million to the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC), which is composed of The University of Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and The University of Central Florida, for industry-focused development. Of the $112.5 million distributed among applicants, the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium has received the most funding.

With the funding, the PVMC will lead an industry driven R&D initiative to catalyze the commercialization of next-generation copper iridium gallium selenide thin film photovoltaics. The University of Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering will establish manufacturing development facilities for such thin technologies, while the University of Central Florida will develop measurement and inspection tools to enable increased energy yield.

For more information visit http://www.energy.gov/news/10256.htm.

With federal funding Albany could be the national center for Solar PV research

United States Senator, Charles Schumer is working to make Albany, New York the national hub for solar photovoltaic research by advocating for a $100 million grant through the Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative. To strengthen Albany's case for the funding, the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and the University of Central Florida are creating the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium, which will work closely with Albany-based computer chip research consortium, Sematech. If secured, the consortium will receive an additional $400 million in private and state funding.

Sematech is an important asset for the consortium as it already has the infrastructure necessary to set up a manufacturing line to test and develop emerging solar technologies.

For more information visit http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Schumer-seeking-solar-funding-1322510.php#photo-2.

The Wild Center gains international recognition for it's renewable heating system

The Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, also known as the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, New York has gained international recognition for it's renewable energy heating system. The system, which is composed of an ACT Bioenergy wood pellet gasification boiler and solar thermal heating arrays, was named Bioenergy Project of the Year for Excellence in Renewable Energy at the Renewable Energy World Conference and Expo in Tampa, Florida. The system is unique to New York State, ACT Bioenergy is a Schenectady based company and the pellets are produced in Massena.

With $350,000 in NYSERDA funding, The Wild Center installed the system in 2010 and has since recognized a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information about the award visit http://adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/523828/Wild-Center-s-renewable-heating-system-wins-national-award.html?nav=5008.
To learn more about ACT Bioenergy visit http://www.actbioenergy.com/.

Center for the Evaluation of Clean Technology

With an ever growing clean technology sector in Central New York and a lack of accredited testing facilities, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has provided $4.4 million in funding for the creation of the Center for the Evaluation of Clean Energy Technology (CeCet).

Led by Intertek, an international industrial testing firm with locations in New York State, CeCet is a consortium of regional universities/organizations with a mission to test clean energy technologies while providing students with hands on education.  The CeCeT facility will be the fifth of its kind in the United States and will save small wind manufacturers from traveling to Colorado to test their turbines. In addition to Intertek, the consortium includes AWS Truepower, Clarkson University, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Canton, Alfred State, Binghamton University, RPI, Syracuse University and the Syracuse Center of Excellence.  There are currently only four accredited testing facilities in the United States.

Still in development, The Clean Tech Center has given CeCeT launch-pad space at the Syracuse Technology Garden.

For more information visit http://www.thetechgarden.com/mail/techessentials/2011/april/center.php.

America's Next Top Energy Innovator Challenge

In an effort to catalyze growth in our nation's clean technology sector, The Department of Energy has announced a program within President Obama's "Startup America Initiative"to reduce costs associated with licensing/commercializing patents held by national laboratories. The program, entitled "America's Next Top Energy Innovator", allows for start-up companies to license technologies developed by any of our nation's national laboratories for only $1,000, representing upfront savings ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. With only 10% of the 15,000 technologies currently licensed, the program has the potential to spur immense growth in the clean energy, transportation, and construction sectors of our economy.

In addition to reducing licensing costs, the program reduces the cost associated with private companies conducting collaborative research and development at our nation's 17 national laboratories.

The Program runs from May 2nd to December 15th, 2011.

For more information on the program visit http://www.energy.gov/news/10202.htm.
To access the technologies available for commercialization visit http://techportal.eere.energy.gov/.

The Syracuse Center of Excellence's LEED platinum headquarter

The Syracuse Center of Excellence (SyracuseCoE), a Syracuse based organization with the mission to create innovations in environmental and energy technologies that improve human health/productivity, security and sustainability in urban and built environments, is housed in one of the most energy efficient buildings in the nation. The SyracuseCoE's LEED platinum headquarter building was designed by the world renowned architect, Toshiko Mori.

Toshiko Mori employed a myriad of energy saving features into the building's design, including a planted green roof to absorb storm water runoff and provide insulation. The building is heated/cooled by a system of overhead water panels that are more efficient than traditional systems. The building has a south-facing window wall, which captures natural light and employs thin blinds between panes that adjust automatically to the sun to reduce glare. In addition to energy efficiency, the Syracuse CoE is developing and employing ventilation systems that filter pollutants from outside air, which Ed Bogucz, the Syracuse CoE's executive director, states increases organizational productivity.

For more information refer to http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-29/syracuse-builds-41-million-incubator-for-green-ideas-james-s-russell.html
or visit the SyracuseCoE's website at http://www.syracusecoe.org/coe/.

Binghamton's water treatment plant becomes the City's first renewable energy generator

With $320,922 in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, The City of Binghamton has installed a 50 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on a local water treatment plant. The system is the first on-site renewable energy generation system for the city and is expected to offset 23 tons of carbon dioxide a year while saving taxpayers $576,000 over its expected life of 25 years.

The system, which is composed of 18 arrays with a total of 204 photovoltaic modules was designed/built by the Kingston, New York based company EarthKind Solar.

To learn more about the project visit http://www.newschannel34.com/content/developingnews/story/Mayor-Ryan-Congressman-Hinchey-NYSERDA-and/2EAd0IH0okiJL2ySsiDFmA.cspx.

For more information on EarthKind solar visit http://www.earthkindsolar.com/.