Clean energy groups support solar policy reforms in New York State

A coalition of clean energy organizations came out in support of reforms recommended by the New York Department of Public Service’s (DPS) on the future of commercial and community solar projects.

The recommendations are part of reforms to the Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) policy, which determines how distributed solar projects in New York are compensated. The coalition, which includes the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), supports the reforms, saying the current policy has undervalued large solar projects, hampered installations and reduced job growth.

The coalition — called the Clean Energy Parties — is urging the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) to approve the recommendations made by the DPS.

“The DPS’ recommendations are a critical step forward in more fairly valuing larger solar projects and spurring deployment,” Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs at SEIA, said. “Many New York towns, businesses, and consumers who have wanted to go solar over the past year have not been able to amidst policy uncertainty, which is why we are urging the PSC to quickly adopt these recommendations. Making these policy changes now is also vital to meeting Governor Cuomo’s goal of moving New York to 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030.”

DPS advocates for changing the ineffective Demand Reduction Value of the VDER tariff, which was based on 10 hours of the previous year, to a longer set of forward hours. This will allow solar developers to design their systems to maximize output. The DPS also calls for establishing a new “community credit” to allow municipal, business and residential customers to participate in community solar projects.

Along with SEIA, the coalition also consists of the Coalition for Community Solar Access, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the New York Solar Energy Industries Association, Pace Energy and Climate Center, and Vote Solar.