Brookings Institute praises NYSERDA

A new report from the Brookings Institute, "Leveraging State Clean Energy Funds for Economic Development", finds New York's heavy investment in clean technologies to be paying off. The Institute attributes New York's success to the comprehensive approach taken by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Instead of focusing on individual projects or attracting industries from other states, the report has found NYSERDA to work towards cultivating New York's own industries.

The report praises NYSERDA's Clean Energy Business Incubator Program, and states that the program is a critical element in growing an innovative, clean-energy ecosystem across New York State. Only in their fourth year of operation, such business incubators have created hundreds of high quality jobs, raised $41 million in private capital and has helped attracted $11 million in federal funding.

For more information visit http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/blog/morning_roundup/2012/01/nyserda-gets-high-marks-on-clean-energy.html.

$30 million provided for large-scale solar projects

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the State Public Service Commission (PSC) have awarded $30 million to help Westchester and New York City facilities fund large-scale solar power projects.  The funding comes from the first round of the Customer-Sited Tier Regional Program, which will provide solar installers, solar developers and real estate owners with a total of $150 million over five years to for large solar photovoltaic and renewable biogas fueled electric generation projects.  The program provides businesses with as much as 50% of the total cost for projects up to $3 million.

Alteris Alteris Renewables, Inc., altPOWER, Bright Power, ConEdison Solutions, Inc., Earthkind Energy, Inc., Martifer Solar USA, OnForce Solar, Inc., Ross Solar Group, LLC, SolarCIty, Solar Energy Systems, LLC, Solartech Renewables, SunEdison, and SUNation Solar, Inc., SunRay Power and MS Harrison LLC received funding.  The funding is expected to greatly increase the self-sufficiency of large department stores,  apartment complexes and postal service distribution centers.

For more information visit http://www.empirestatenews.net/News/20120112-4.html.