Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, D-N.Y., says $46 million has been awarded under his NY-Sun initiative for large-scale solar energy projects. The awards are expected to add 52 MW to the state's solar capacity.
According to Cuomo's office, the program has led to ‘a year of unprecedented growth for solar installations in the state.’ More PV systems are now being deployed in the state than in the entire prior decade.
Awards recently have been made to 28 recipients to finance 76 large-scale solar energy projects in 33 counties across the state. Installations will be located at businesses, factories, municipal buildings and other large commercial and industrial companies. They are expected to be online by the end of this year.
The $46 million from New York State, awarded through a competitive program, leverages $100 million in private investment, resulting in $146 million in infrastructure projects.
"The NY-Sun initiative is driving the growth of solar energy systems that will help businesses and municipalities benefit from cost-effective, on-site electricity generation," says Cuomo.
The program, which provides incentives for PV systems larger than 50 kW, is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Funding per project is capped at $3 million, and all projects require co-funding to best leverage state resources.
The most recent round of awards was made under the first of three rounds of the program's solicitation. Second-round proposals have been received, and proposals for the third round are due Aug. 29, 2013.
