The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority recently announced the reallocation of more than $6 million in unused funds to extend incentives available for solar projects in certain NY-Sun Solar Megawatt (MW) Block programs. NY-Sun is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s $1 billion initiative to advance the scale-up of solar and move New York State closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry.
The progress of residential and small commercial MW Blocks is approximately six to seven months ahead of schedule, reflecting the high demand for solar in New York State.
Under the MW Block program, residential, small commercial (including not-for-profits) and large commercial solar projects are eligible for incentives (rebates) that lower total project costs and support greater use of clean, sustainable solar power. The total amount of incentives available is based on a pre-established amount of energy (megawatts) designated for a specific region, which provides certainty and transparency for customers and installers. The level of incentives declines over time as the amount of megawatts allocated hits specific targets.
The MW Block regions of the State are: Upstate Region Residential, Upstate Region Small Non-Residential, Con Edison Residential, Con Edison Small Non-Residential, Long Island Region Residential, Long Island Small Non-Residential, Upstate Commercial/Industrial and Con Edison Commercial/Industrial.
Once a MW Block’s capacity is fully subscribed, all unused funds are reallocated to the current block in that region.Due to the cancellation of some projects in a region or projects whose scope or funding was changed, NY-Sun reallocated these uncommitted funds.
“I’m thrilled New Yorkers are overwhelmingly responding to the clean energy and affordability benefits, choice and opportunities from the NY-Sun initiative,” said Richard Kauffman, Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York State. “Under Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy, New Yorkers are adding solar at a rate that exceeded 300 percent from 2011 to 2014 — twice the rate of the U.S. overall — and we expect even more growth in the coming years.”
NYSERDA President and CEO John B. Rhodes said, “NY-Sun is a critical part of Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), which has had great success in spurring unprecedented growth in solar across the State. The reallocation of funds will ensure an appropriate level of support is available to residential and small commercial projects in regions where funds were allocated, but not used.”
The following is a list of the individual MW Block regions where funds are being reallocated:
- Upstate Residential (Block 6): increase of 4 MW to a total of 35 MW – $2 million added to current Block
- Con Edison Residential (Block 5): increase of 2 MW to a total of 17 MW – $1.2 million added to current Block
- Upstate Non-Residential (Block 7): increase of 5 MW to a total of 33 MW – $1.8 million added to current Block
- Con Edison Non-Residential (Block 3): increase of 1.5 MW to a total of 7.5 MW – $1.035 million added to current Block
- NY-Sun previously announced the addition of 18 MW for Long Island Residential (Block 4).
Long Island Non-Residential is not included in the current reallocation.
