SEIA applauds New York decision to expand size of community solar projects

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) recently reacted to a decision by the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) to increase the size of community solar projects from two to five megawatts (MW).

“New York is part of a growing movement by states that have rapidly growing community solar programs, from Minnesota to Massachusetts,” SEIA said in an online statement. “New Jersey is also actively considering legislation that would create a community solar program. And it’s no wonder: these are common sense policies that significantly expand the pool of people who can benefit from solar. These programs can serve as models for other states looking to expand access to solar energy.”

SEIA noted that the policy change would lower the costs for community solar projects and make solar more accessible to low-income residents, renters, municipalities and small businesses.

The new policy supports Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s goals of meeting half the state’s electricity demand with renewable energy by 2030 and providing solar to 10,000 low-income New York residents. In his 2018 State of the State address last month, he also pledged to invest $200 million in energy storage research.

“Especially in the face of the administration’s tariffs on solar imports, we need states to take the lead on creating pro-solar policies. It’s great to see New York and other states doing exactly that,” SEIA said.