Governor Cuomo doubles New York solar goal to 6 GW by 2025

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) commended New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for his announcement that the state is doubling the NY Sun solar goal to 6 GW by 2025, extending the state’s existing incentive program and launching a new round of large-scale solar awards.

Following is a statement from Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association:

“We commend Governor Cuomo for continuing to move New York ahead on solar energy. His plan to double the NY Sun goal and extend the incentive program will provide much-needed certainty for the distributed solar market. Furthermore, the announcement of 16 new large-scale solar awards builds on the 22 solar projects selected last spring.

“Together, these groundbreaking investments in solar energy will create thousands of jobs, generate billions of dollars in investment, and bring clean and affordable energy to the residents of New York state. We look forward to working with the Governor’s Office and the legislature to bring New Yorkers all the benefits that solar has to offer.”

“Governor Cuomo’s goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 is exactly what the New York solar industry needs,” said Shyam Mehta, executive director of the New York Solar Energy Industries Association. “We stand ready to work with the Cuomo Administration to double distributed solar to 6,000 MW by 2025, to more than double land-based solar though the Clean Energy Standard, and to invest in large-scale solar projects. We are especially heartened by the governor’s proposal to bring more solar to low-income communities through an expanded Solar for All program. NYSEIA will be an active participant in the discussions around any prevailing wage requirements that might slow the progress of solar energy. But overall, NYSEIA member companies look forward to helping New York meet these ambitious goals, and we look forward to advancing these proposals and other pro-solar reforms during the 2019 legislative session.”

Sean Garren, senior Northeast director at Vote Solar, who led the Million Solar Strong New York campaign, issued the following statement:

“Following his bold commitment to 100% clean energy, Governor Cuomo took a historic step today to tackle climate change head-on by ensuring that families, business and communities all across New York can immediately benefit in the process through solar. We are thrilled by Governor Cuomo’s announced doubling the state’s solar development by 2025 and build enough solar to power one million homes.

“Achieving an equitable clean energy economy will only happen when all New Yorkers, including low-income families and disadvantaged communities, benefit from the clean energy transition, and we will continue pushing lawmakers and working with allies on the frontlines of this movement to ensure that the transition to clean energy serves all New Yorkers.

“With Governor Cuomo’s commitment to one million solar customers, New York will put thousands to work, save millions on electric bills and spur local economic investments and opportunity to communities all across the state. Vote Solar launched the Million Solar Strong New York campaign with environmental and industry partners to immediately put the people of New York at the center of our power system. We will continue working with the administration and the legislature to meet this goal and ensure that the growing solar economy meaningfully serves all New Yorkers, including at least 100,000 low-income families. We are grateful to the Governor for heeding our call for a solar-powered future.”