Con Edison CEO tells shareholders of successes with solar, renewable energy

Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison) Chairman and CEO John McAvoy recently discussed a variety of issues at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, including strides it has made in solar and renewable energy.

“Solar power continues to grow; we now have 32,000 solar providers across our service territory, and we are working to ensure a seamless connection process,” McAvoy said.

He told the shareholders that Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, not far from the company’s headquarters in New York, are now installing 9,600 solar panels across 22 acres of rooftop.

“To provide low-income New Yorkers with solar benefits, we are installing solar panels on some of our facilities, and those of NYCHA (the New York City Housing Authority),” he added.

McAvoy also pointed out that Con Edison has introduced a device that allows solar or electric vehicles to be connected directly to the electric meter, avoiding the cost of rewiring or modifying a home circuit breaker panel.

Through its Clean Energy Businesses, Con Edison is now North America’s second-largest solar producer with solar and wind assets in 17 states, he said. The company has a total renewable portfolio of 2,600 megawatts.

He also discussed a $25 million investment in electric vehicle chargers.

“We’ve recently modified our smart charging rewards program to support the growth of electric commercial trucks and buses,” McAvoy said. “And our online marketplace allows any customer to compare the efficiency ratings of electric vehicles. These initiatives are a win for our customers and the environment.”

He said that 700,000 customers have taken advantage of Con Edison’s and Orange and Rockland’s energy efficiency rebates and incentives over the last 10 years. The result has been a reduction of 5 million metric tons of carbon emissions.