Thursday, October 1, 2026
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the NY-Sun initiative to make implementing solar easier and more affordable for communities across the state. The program helps fund the installation of solar for both residential and non-residential applications, such as schools, not for profits, large multi-unit buildings and government.
The campaigns help you learn about solar electric concepts, technologies, leasing vs. owning, balance of systems costs, and more. Home and building owners have three options for acquiring a solar electric system: buying, leasing, or entering into a power purchase agreement (PPA).
Em Power, located in Island Park, encourages homeowners, businesses and schools to take advantage of monies and programs aimed at helping the use of alternative energies.
Marketing manager Tara Bono said with different types of funding available, and modern solar providing significant cost savings on electric.
“Now that PSE&G allows third party financing on Long Island, you can go solar with nothing spent out of pocket. On bill financing allows people to finance on time, but own the solar installation.” You can find more information here:
http://www.energyfinancesolutions.com/main/homeownersnyphotovoltaic/title/NewYork
John Rhodes, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) said this is an “innovative approach to spur local communities to come together to install and encourage the installation of solar in homes, businesses and neighborhoods. A component of Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative, it is the latest piece of a comprehensive program to help the State advance toward installing 3,000 megawatts of solar by 2023.”
Media manger for Em Power, Melissa Boo, says we need to catch up with other states. “New Jersey is third in solar installations, while New York is 14th.” According to New Jersey’s clean energy program, that state has almost 32,000 solar installations. Long Island passed 10,000 installations in December according to Boo.
Applications and additional information on the programs are available on the NY-Sun web site at http://ny-sun.ny.gov/Get-Solar/Residents-And-Small-Business.
NY-Sun is a one billion dollar initiative of Governor Cuomo’s to advance the scale-up of solar and move the state closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry. With this initiative, New York’s role as a leader and first mover in shaping the future of energy remains firmly in place.
