New York has reported achieving its 6 GW distributed solar target, a year in advance
It also helped it generate more than 14,000 solar jobs and close to $9.2 million in private investment
It now aims to achieve 10 GW target out of which around 3.4 is already under development
The New York State has achieved a milestone of reaching 6 GW of distributed solar installations, a goal it was targeting for 2025, announced Governor Kathy Hochul. This growth has also mobilized close to $9.2 billion in private investment across the state, she added.
The announcement was made at the launch of a 5.7 MW solar array in the Town of New Scotland, developed by New Leaf Energy and owned by Generate Capital.
Hochul attributed this growth to the state’s $3.3 billion NY Sun Initiative that supports the construction of over 1 MW solar PV capacity. This 6 GW capacity is enough to power more than a million homes. To date, the state has also created more than 14,000 solar jobs with solar energy.
“As the top community solar market in the nation, New York State has provided a replicable model for others to deliver clean, low-cost renewable energy to more consumers,” said the President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Doreen M. Harris. “Our public-private partnerships are the catalysts which have helped us to achieve our 6-GW goal well ahead of target, trailblazing New York’s path to an equitable energy transition.”
Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) Northeast Regional Director Valessa Souter-Kline attributed this achievement to a combination of strong federal policies, well-designed state solar programs, and tireless work by state leaders and solar developers.
It values the state’s solar PV market at $12.6 billion with $1.9 billion invested in 2023. Solar energy now accounts for 5.28% of the state’s electricity generation.
Now the state is marching ahead on its 10 GW distributed solar energy goal by 2030 out of which almost 3.4 GW is already under development. This 10 GW is an expanded goal that was announced in December 2021 (see 10 GW Distributed Solar By 2030 For New York).
To support its Solar for All program, NYSERDA received nearly $250 million from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April this year, to increase solar energy access for over 6.8 million residents living in low-income households and disadvantaged communities.