Community Solar

New York has installed more than 2 GW of community solar, state says

New York has installed more than 2 GW of community solar, state says
PowerFlex has completed work on a 7.2 MW community solar project that is now the largest rooftop solar system in New York State. Located in Orange County on the distribution center rooftop of Medline Industries, a manufacturer and distributor of medical products, the project features more than 17,000 solar modules and is expected to generate 8.5 million kWh of clean energy annually. (Courtesy: PowerFlex)

New York state officials announced more than 2 GW of community solar has been installed so far in New York – enough to serve 393,000 homes.

This community solar milestone contributes to 5 GW of distributed solar across the state, with 3.3 GW in development. It also demonstrates progress towards achieving New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to install 6 GW of distributed solar by 2025, on the path to 10 GW by 2030.

To date, community solar makes up 61% of total solar installations across the state this year. In addition, New York’s distributed solar pipeline is now comprised of more than 8,700 projects, which once completed will provide 3,297 MW of clean energy.

New York hit the 1 GW community solar milestone last March. Community solar accounted for 70% of New York’s overall solar additions in 2021, the governor’s office said.

In October, NYSERDA opened a second round of solicitations for the Inclusive Community Solar and Expanded Solar for All programs, which together aim to secure over 1,140 MW of community solar dedicated to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households and disadvantaged communities.

GO DEEPER: Renewable Properties founder and president Aaron Halimi joined Episode 33 of the Factor This! podcast to discuss the future of community solar in California which, to date, has lagged behind other markets, despite the state’s role as a leader of the energy transition. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

The latest Wood Mackenzie Solar Market Insight quarterly report ranks New York as the all-time national leader in installed community solar, as well as number one in 2023 for community solar installations, number two in overall distributed solar, and number five for residential solar.

Earlier this year, PowerFlex completed work on a 7.2 MW community solar project that is now the largest rooftop solar system in New York State. Located in Orange County on the distribution center rooftop of Medline Industries, a manufacturer and distributor of medical products, the project features more than 17,000 solar modules and is expected to generate 8.5 million kWh of clean energy annually.