Solar energy growing substantially

From 2011-16, New York has increased state-supported solar power by nearly 800 percent, according to a Tuesday release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.

Solar grow this critical to the governor’s Clean Energy Standard that 50 percent of New York’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030.

“New York is a national leader in clean energy, and the tremendous growth of the solar industry across this state demonstrates this renewal technology’s increased accessibility and affordability for residents and businesses,” Governor Cuomo said. “Our investments in this clean energy resource create jobs, reduce carbon emissions, support economic growth, and help build a cleaner, greener New York for all.”

The 795 percent solar growth in the State over the last five years was supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York Power Authority, the Long Island Power Authority and other private and pub--

lic sector actors.

64,926 projects were installed through the end of 2016, compared with 8,989 through the end of 2011.

These state-supported projects total nearly 744 megawatts of solar power installed. That amount of electricity would be sufficient to meet the needs of more than 121,000 average homes. The significant growth of solar power is attributed to a combination of factors, including the NYSun Megawatt Block Incentive program, a decline in solar equipment prices, and growth in the number of installer businesses marketing solar directly to consumers.

The largest percentage increase in solar power was in the Mohawk Valley, followed by the Finger Lakes Region, Central New York and the Southern Tier. The study classified Central New York as a five-county conglomerate consisting of Madison, Onondaga, Cortland, Oswego and Cayuga counties.

The Mohawk Valley region includes: Oneida, Herkimer, Otsego, Fulton, Montgomery, and Schoharie counties.

Central New York

Projects installed (2011): 178 Projects installed (2016): 1,731 Percent increase in proj-

ects installed: 836 Megawatts installed (2011): 1.6 Megawatts installed (2016): 23.56 Percent increase in megawatts installed: 1,246

Mohawk Valley

Projects installed (2011): 140 Projects installed (2016): 1,790 Percent increase in projects installed: 1,005 Megawatts installed (2011): 1.2 Megawatts installed (2016): 26.95 Percent increase in megawatts installed: 1,597

In addition to the new solar installations over the last five years, more than 886 megawatts of additional solar power was under development in the state as of the end of last year, enough to power more than 150,000 average homes. In 2014, Cuomo made a commitment of nearly $1 billion to NY-Sun to stimulate the marketplace and increase the number of solar electric systems across the state over 10 years. NY-Sun aims to add more than three gigawatts of installed solar capacity in the state by 2023. One gigawatt equals 1,000 megawatts. New York now has more than 8,000 workers engaged in solar jobs.

Additional information regarding solar growth in the region and across New York, visit: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/solargrowth