New York has the opportunity to become one of the nation’s leading solar states. The Empire State is pursuing a solar measure that could stimulate the economy, create permanent jobs, establish a new manufacturing base, reduce climate change, increase sustainability, and preserve precious natural resources that over 20 million New Yorkers depend upon daily. The New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act of 2010 has been introduced to the state assembly and senate. The bill would responsibly require investor owned utilities (IOUs) and public power authorities to gradually incorporate solar electricity in their energy mix over the next 15 years. In 2009, New York installed only 34 Megawatts of solar electricity. This proposed solar measure would increase the statewide installed capacity to at least 5,000 Megawatts and assist New York in achieving its clean energy goals at the lowest cost to the ratepayer.

 
   New York has always been a gateway for new ideas and progress. The solar industry, environmentalists, and conservation groups are calling on government officials to act on a solar plan which can deliver serious results. The New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA) is “calling on Governor David Paterson, the State Legislature, and the Public Service Commission (PSC) to immediately take needed actions to put the state on target to reach its goals of meeting 45 percent of the state’s electricity needs through the improved efficiency and clean renewable energy by the year 2015.” (NYSEIA Proposes Long-Term Solar Electric Incentive Plan, 7/2/2010).
 
The proposed solar bill could benefit New York in the following ways:
 

  • Economic Growth- Proponents of the New York solar act exclaim that it could generate $20 billion in economic stimulus over the next 15 years. This comes at a time when the state deficit is at alarming levels (over $8 billion) and at risk of a double-dip recession.
  • Green Jobs- The solar industry has been steadily adding real jobs nationwide and providing competitive salaries to the US workforce (i.e. the average salary for solar jobs is $61,000 depending on the company, location, and experience.) The New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act of 2010 is estimated to support 22,000 new jobs.
  • Solar Manufacturing Plants are coming to New York- Solar manufacturing factories are being established in upstate New York. This is an enormous win for New York and one that needs to continue. New York has the ability to attract emerging industries and provide a fertile environment for world-class solar technology, research, and development companies.
    • SpectraWatt- a manufacturer and supplier of advanced silicon photovoltaic cells has recently opened its solar factory in Hopewell Junction, NY. SpectraWatt’s $81 million investment will create a state-of-the-art facility and bring 161 new jobs to Dutchess County, NY. The facility will be capable of producing over 50 million solar cells annually which is enough to power 35,000 homes.
    • Solartech Renewables- is opening a $10 million production facility in Ulster County, New York. When completed in 2010, the “Tech City” complex will create 100 new full time permanent jobs and produce 12 Megawatts or 55,000 solar panels utilizing technology from the Spire Corporation.
  • Solar for All- Solar is a level playing field in which all parties can participate. Unlike other renewable energies (i.e. wind, biomass, and geothermal) which can be difficult to develop and only achievable on a larger scales solar is affordable and equally available to homeowners, schools, universities, townships, municipalities, corporations, and government agencies.
  • What a “Fracking” Mess- Unregulated natural gas drilling is being seriously considered in the New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware watershed regions. “Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a means of natural gas extraction employed in deep natural gas well drilling. Once a well is drilled, millions of gallons of water, sand, and proprietary chemicals are injected, under high pressure, into a well. The pressure fractures the shale and props open fissures that enable natural gas to flow more freely out of the well.”(www.gaslandthemovie.com) Natural gas fracking has destroyed ecological systems and contaminated the water supplies of many parts of Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Texas, and Wyoming.
    • Flammable tap water – that’s what people across the US have discovered in the wake of the unconventional method of natural gas extraction known as hydraulic fracking.
    • The 65 compounds that are used in natural gas drilling are harmful to human health.
    • 80,000 pounds of chemicals are injected into the earth’s crust to frack each natural gas well.
    • 70% of the fracking fluid that remains in the ground is not biodegradable.
    • A loophole in the 2005 Energy Bill exempts natural gas drillers from following EPA guidelines like the Clean Water Act. Natural gas fracking is totally unregulated and will begin in New York unless state legislature acts immediately.

 
   Solar energy is the responsible and viable energy solution for New York. It allows the state to meet its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in an efficient and healthy manner. Solar energy does not contaminate the water supply nor proposes harmful health risks to New Yorkers. The question New Yorkers should be asking their legislators is “does New York need a self-inflicted Gulf Oil Disaster?”
 
   Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) have also been incorporated in the proposed solar bills. SRECs are a proven market based solution that augments solar development and financing. SREC markets have remained vibrant even as state incentives and rebates have diminished or terminated. One SREC is equal to 1,000 kilowatt hours of solar electricity and is typically purchased by utilities and energy companies who need to comply with a state mandated Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). State mandated SREC markets successfully operate in DE, OH, PA, MA. MD, NJ, and Washington DC and fluctuate pricing ($250.00 – $693.00). SRECs are the driving financial component that makes solar economically feasible. SREC markets promote free market competition and reward participants who take renewable energy risk with a revenue stream from SREC monetization. SRECs could incentivize New Yorkers to install solar provide a market mechanism that delivers proven results.
 
   Now is the time for New York to become a leader in solar energy. New York is the United States third most populous state, yet its solar industry lags neighboring states. In 2009 New York installed less than 35 MW or 1,200 photovoltaic systems compared to New Jersey’s 181 MW or 6,281 installed photovoltaic systems. New Yorkers need to reclaim their energy independence. Instead of depending on expensive foreign oil or harmful natural gas, government officials can implement a renewable energy policy with an increased solar carve-out that would immediately benefit the state. An aggressive Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) would demonstrate that New York is serious about clean energy, the health of its residents, and illustrate its environment stewardship to the rest of the nation. Solar energy is the smartest, safest, and quickest way for New York State to achieve its renewable energy goals. Solar energy can elevate the environmental consciousness of the Empire State and responsibly benefit our two most prized possessions: the earth and mankind.