New York Launches 9th Annual RES Solicitation Round

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has launched the state’s 9th annual Renewable Energy Standard (RES) request for proposals (RFP) or RESRFP25-1 for the year 2025. This solicitation round will advance late-stage large-scale renewable energy projects in New York to the construction stage. 

The state aims to procure 5.6 million Tier 1 eligible Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) annually from the facilities that can enter commercial operations in the near future. Wind and solar are among the eligible renewable energy technologies for this round. 

According to a state administration directive, state agencies will expedite shovel-ready projects that seek to access existing federal tax credits that are due to expire if the projects are not under construction by July 4, 2026, or start generating power by December 31, 2027 (see Trump Signs Executive Order To End Green Energy Subsidies).  

Hochul stated, “Together, these actions are expected to unlock billions in private investment, create thousands of good-paying jobs, and build a durable energy economy that benefits New Yorkers for decades to come.”

This solicitation is expected to mobilize over $5 billion in clean energy investments in the state, according to the state administration’s estimates, and create more than 2,500 energy jobs. At the end of 2023, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) said that New York had 178,000 workers employed in the clean energy sector, led by solar (see North America Solar PV News Snippets). 

“While the federal government takes us backward on energy policy, New York will not be thwarted in its commitment to clean energy. By directing our state agencies to move projects across the finish line, we are seizing every opportunity to leverage federal incentives, reduce costs for ratepayers, and build a more resilient, sustainable and reliable energy grid,” said Hochul. 

According to the RFP terms, large-scale solar and wind energy projects will not be required to use all iron and steel made in the US. However, winning solar projects must spend a minimum of $33,000/MW DC on US-made iron and steel, while this limit goes up to $61,000/MW DC for wind facilities and to $64,000/MW DC for hydro facilities. 

Solar PV projects applying under the RESRFP25-1 round will also be required to sign the Forced Labor Prevention Pledge of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) to agree to conduct their business in an ethical manner. 

Announced on September 26, 2025, NYSERDA will admit eligibility applications by October 21, 2025, and final proposals from the eligible participants by December 4, 2025. Details are available on NYSERDA’s website. 

New York signed renewable energy contracts for 26 large-scale projects representing a combined 2.5 GW capacity and over $6 billion in private investments, including 18 solar projects under its 2024 solicitation process (see New York Grants Contracts For 2.5 GW Renewable Energy). 

At present, New York’s large-scale renewable energy pipeline comprises 102 solar, onshore wind, hydroelectric, and offshore wind projects representing a combined capacity exceeding 9.7 GW. When grid-connected, it will generate enough clean energy to power more than 3 million New York homes, states the Governor’s office.