EmPower wins state grant to install solar panels

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Aug. 8 that $30 million has been awarded to 16 developers to finance large-scale photovoltaic (PV) projects at multiple sites in New York City and the lower Hudson Valley. As part of the Governor’s NY-Sun initiative, the funding will assist businesses and other facilities in generating electricity from solar power. Among the winners of the funding is Island Park-based EmPower Solar.

The funding is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority through the Renewable Portfolio Standard Customer-Sited Tier Regional Program. Projects under this program are sited at manufacturing facilities, colleges and universities, schools, department stores, apartment complexes and other locations.

“These awards will help large commercial and industrial businesses to invest in solar power, stimulating economic development while helping reduce use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gases emissions,” Cuomo said. “Through the NY-Sun program, the state continues to be a leader in the development of solar energy and making solar power a more attractive option for businesses. These investments will help create green jobs, while protecting the environment and leading to a more sustainable future for our state.”

The NY-Sun Initiative was first outlined by the Governor in his 2012 State of the State Address. The initiative is designed to double the amount of customer-sited solar power installed annually in New York in 2012, and quadruple that amount by 2013.

Last year, through this program, NYSERDA awarded more than $30 million across 22 contracts in support of 26.62 MW of solar PV projects.

The projects are meant to produce power for on-site use, not for direct sale to utilities. Under certain circumstances, however, unused power can be added to the grid in exchange for future utility credit.

For more information on NYSERDA programs, please visit www.nyserda.ny.gov.