As part of the continuing effort to support the goals set forth by Governor Cuomo in the NY-Sun initiative, the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today authorized modifications to the solar energy portion of New York’s renewable energy program. These changes will spur additional solar installations by providing funding for larger solar installations than previously allowed.

Under the NY-Sun initiative, launched by Governor Cuomo last year, the state adopted the goal of quadrupling the amount of photovoltaic capacity installed in 2013 over levels installed in 2011. To advance this goal, Governor Cuomo proposed expanding the NY-Sun initiative to provide long-term funding of $150 million annually over the next 10 years ensuring the growth of the solar industry across the state. 

“New York has seen an unprecedented upswing in the amount of solar power being installed by homeowners and businesses under Governor Cuomo’s far-reaching NY-Sun initiative,” said Commission Chairman Garry Brown. “The changes we made today will ensure that the growth of solar installations, which spurs the creation of jobs in New York, continues well into the future.”

With the Commission’s decision today, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is authorized to revise the design of the Renewable Portfolio Standard solar photovoltaic programs for residential and small business owners to accelerate the installation of solar systems to help meet the NY-Sun goals. 

Specifically, NYSERDA is being allowed to offer direct incentives for commercial systems larger than 50 kW up to 200 kW and will correspondingly raise the minimum project size for the competitive bid solar program to systems above 200 kW up to 2 megawatts. In addition, NYSERDA will implement a temporary incentive to allow for capacity additions up to the new 200 kW maximum size in the commercial systems program, and it will increase the residential size cap from 7kW to 25 kW.

The Commission’s decision today, when issued, may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 03-E-0188 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission orders may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500).  If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.