Key Activities and Reports
New York City has been actively engaged in solar initiatives since 2005, when the City University of New York (CUNY) launched the Million Solar Roofs Initiative (MSRI) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In 2007 Sustainable CUNY led the Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability (OLTPS) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) in developing and implementing comprehensive plans for large-scale solar integration and associated economic development.
This strategic approach has resulted in multiple U.S. DOE grant awards, which Sustainable CUNY implements on behalf of NYC, in collaboration with over 40 key partners:
2012: U.S. DOE SunShot Rooftop Solar Challenge 1
2010: U.S. DOE ARRA ‘Special Projects’
2007: U.S. DOE Solar America City
The reports below helped create and inform the NYC Solar Platform that is paving the way for NYC to realize the benefits of solar. Significant financial and technical support has been provided by the U.S. DOE, the New York State Energy Development Authority, the New York Power Authority, the Mayor's Office of New York City, Con Edison, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the NYC Department of Buildings and the City University of New York.
2013
Solar Planning and Zoning Implementation Guide (NYC) <pdf>
Net Metering and Interconnection Working Group Final Report (NYC) <pdf>
2012
NYC Community Solar Report <pdf>
2011
NYC's Solar Energy Future <pdf>
2010
NYC Solar America City 2010 Installer Survey Results <pdf>.
The Integration of Solar Energy into Emergency Planning
2009
Solar Real Time Pricing: Is Real-Time Pricing Beneficial to Solar PV in New York City?
Interconnecting PV on New York City's Secondary Network Distribution System
2006
Part I: The Market for Photovoltaic Systems in New York City <pdf>
Part II: Solar Energy Policies and Barriers in New York City <pdf>
Solar Market Growth
New York City’s solar market has grown exponentially and is poised for continued growth. This rapid market growth will continue applying downward pressure on the cost of solar in New York City.
other industry resources
New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA)
Solar thermal development lags behind PV, but the New York State Solar Thermal Roadmap, released earlier this year, identifies the roadblocks and creates a path to spur increased development, investment, manufacturing, sales and deployment of solar thermal technologies in the state.
Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA)
SEPA's website provides unbiased resources about solar technologies, policies, and programs.
National Renewable Energy Lab
NREL recently launched a new Renewable Energy Project Finance website.
New York State Public Service Commission
The New York State Public Service Commission website is a great resource for regulatory information.
New York State Energy and Research Development Authority
The NYSERDA Power Naturally website has information on renewable energy development in New York State.