The New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) has released a detailed policy report, “20 Gigawatts by 2035: Raising New York’s Distributed Solar Goal.” The report calls on Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to increase New York’s distributed solar goal to 20 gigawatts by 2035.

Accelerating Solar Energy Growth

NYSEIA’s roadmap emphasizes the importance of distributed solar energy, which includes rooftop installations and small-scale ground-mounted projects. Distributed solar represents more than 90% of New York’s current solar capacity. The state added over 800 megawatts of distributed solar capacity last year, and it is on track to surpass 6 GW by the end of 2024, one year ahead of schedule. This rapid growth highlights the potential for New York to double its solar energy investments.

Addressing CLCPA Setbacks

In 2019, New York enacted the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), one of the most ambitious renewable energy mandates in the nation. The CLCPA directs the state to achieve 70% renewable energy by 2030, 100% renewable energy by 2040, and a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. However, high-profile cancellations of utility-scale renewable projects have jeopardized these goals. Governor Hochul’s 10-point action plan aims to get these projects back on track. Nonetheless, the roadmap argues that New York must significantly increase rooftop and community solar deployment to meet the CLCPA mandates.

Sustainable Solar Energy Investment

The roadmap outlines that solar deployment in New York has grown at an average rate of 31% annually from 2013 to 2022, driven by the state’s community solar program. To reach 20 gigawatts of distributed solar by 2035, New York needs to sustain just 7-10% annual growth. This growth is attainable with smart state-level policies and federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act. These measures will enable substantial solar energy market developments and support green energy policies.

Significant Benefits for New Yorkers

Achieving 20 gigawatts of distributed solar by 2035 will deliver substantial benefits to New Yorkers. This includes $50 billion in gross electric bill savings, $3-4 billion in revenue for rural landowners, municipalities, and school districts, and an additional 15,000 jobs in the solar industry. Low-income communities, facing high energy burdens and pollution levels, will particularly benefit. Distributed solar energy will help meet the CLCPA requirement that 40% of clean energy benefits accrue to disadvantaged communities.

Necessary Policy Interventions

The roadmap stresses that “business as usual” won’t achieve the 20X35 goal. NYSEIA outlines several policy reforms needed:

• Interconnection reform and flexible interconnection to lower costs and accelerate deployment
• Streamlined permitting for rooftop and community solar
• Virtual Power Plant programs and dynamic rate design to compensate distributed solar and energy storage
• Continued investment in New York’s community solar programs to provide bill savings to low-income New Yorkers

Founded in 1994, NYSEIA represents over 230 solar and energy storage firms in New York, dedicated to advancing equitable and cost-effective solar deployment across the state.

Source：businesswire.com