Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that 8 GW of distributed solar has been installed across New York State, which puts the state ahead of schedule for reaching 10 GW by 2030. This growth in the distributed solar market has generated approximately $12.2 billion in private investment across New York and provided more than 16,000 jobs statewide.
A solar project in Westchester County, New York, owned by DSD Renewables, managed by Perch Energy. Photo credit: DSD Renewables
“New York continues to set the bar high as we mark another milestone for solar within our communities across the state,” Hochul said. “This is low-cost, reliable clean energy that is delivering cost savings for families and businesses while expanding the availability of renewable energy which benefits our environment, our economy and contributes to New York’s diverse energy resource mix.”
There is enough solar energy to power more than 1.3 million homes and businesses across the state. Currently, there are more than 276,000 projects in operation, with another 2.7 GW in development. Community solar projects expanded access to clean energy in New York by letting households and businesses enroll in solar projects without installing panels on their own property.
“New York is home to 35% of the nation’s community solar generation — securing its position as the top community solar market in the country,” said Doreen M. Harris, president and CEO of NYSERDA. “Solar energy is one of the most reliable contributors to our state’s grid and by producing energy during peak load periods, it lowers energy costs for all New Yorkers, not just those participating in community solar.”
Last summer, solar generation helped save New Yorkers an estimated $90 million by lowering demand on the electric grid during periods of peak electricity use. On June 3, New York set a new solar generation record when solar supplied approximately 29% of statewide electricity demand during the noon hour.
“We are seeing the benefits of New York’s solar assets in real time,” said Rory Christian, chair and CEO of New York’s Public Service Commission. “Solar is reducing the strain on our electric grid, while providing significant reliability benefits especially during periods of peak demand. The milestone we are celebrating today is a win for affordability and clean energy for all New Yorkers.”
After achieving its original 6 GW distributed solar target in 2024, New York installed a record-breaking 1.28 GW of solar in a single year in 2025. New York’s NY-Sun Program provides incentives to make solar more affordable and accessible to homes, businesses and communities while lowering their energy costs and providing improved efficiency and reliability to New York’s electric grid. Hochul allocated $200 million in New York’s 2027 budget for NY-Sun which will help to expand New York’s solar success and continue to improve energy affordability for all New Yorkers.
The statewide Solar For All Program, which was initiated by the Public Service Commission in 2024 and is part of NY-Sun, is designed to automatically lower bills for low-income New Yorkers, including those that live in a disadvantaged community and are enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program. Statewide Solar for All provides eligible low-income households with free electricity bill savings by sharing the discounts generated from community solar projects.
News item from NYSERDA
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