Second round of New York’s ‘Solarize’ campaigns introduces 850 solar projects

An effort to get New York to 50 percent renewable energy reliance by 2030 has already made big inroads, with the governor’s “Solarize” campaigns bringing in 850 solar projects thus far.

The campaign is in its second round following launch in December 2014. Locally organized, it is a project sponsored by Gov. Andrew Cuomo as part of the state’s Clean Energy Standard. The governor’s office has also reported these first two rounds are on track to save residents and businesses around $2.9 million.

“New York continues to see unprecedented growth in the solar energy industry across the state, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing jobs, and driving economic growth,” Cuomo said. “By helping residents and businesses install solar energy panels, we are reducing costs for consumers and fueling the
clean energy economy in New York for years to come.”

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has already invested $700,000 in technical and marketing support to Solarize. On average, every installation is saving participants $1,743.

The project is also entering new ground this week with the announcement that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Center for Economic Growth are launching a state-sponsored Solarize campaign to help manufacturers install clean energy producing solar systems as well. This represents a significant boost to the project as it enters its third round of campaigns.