Background
Solar Energy could provide a significant fraction of New York's electricity generation requirements and, in concert with other generation sources, provide more reliable power. Solar Energy or photovoltaics (PV) is a semiconductor technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity while using no moving parts, consuming no fuel, and creating no pollution. Historically, the US has been a global leader in PV technology but has been losing ground to Germany and Japan over the past decade. Aggressive state programs such as the California Solar Initiative as well as federal tax credits have stimulated renewed growth of the solar industry in the US. New York was an early leader in state-sponsored solar subsidies and net metering policies but more recently, other states have seen more rapid growth.
To assist in raising awareness of the role of PV in New York and to obtain views and insights of key stakeholders, the Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (E2TAC) in partnership with the New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) and New Energy New York (NENY) created the Solar Initiative of New York (SINY). SINY organizes forums and workshops to identify and address patterns and opportunities within the solar industry. In May 2007, SINY released the New York State Solar Roadmap.
New York State Solar Roadmap
Released in May 2007
Workshops
Information
For more information on the Solar Initiative of New York, its partners or its events, please contact Emily Riley at eriley@uamail.albany.edu.
For information on incentives or installing solar panels on your residential home, please visit NYSERDA's PV Incentives page.
