Gov. David Paterson has announced a plan to add 100 MW of solar photovoltaic projects– the largest PV initiative in the state of New York. This news comes after the governor’s recently announced 50-MW PV project, led by the Long Island Power Authority– and is the fourth major clean energy initiative that Paterson has unveiled in the last two weeks. Together, these two solar projects– totaling 150 MW–would position New York as the state with the second-highest installed PV capacity.
The New York Power Authority will issue a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for the purpose of exploring a public-private partnership for the installation of as much as 100 MW of solar PV systems, including roof- and ground-mounted arrays at municipal facilities, public and private schools, businesses, and state agencies.
NYPA is seeking proposals that would promote potential regional economic development opportunities for local component manufacturing and assembly. Such economic benefits could include opportunities to manufacture PV components in the state, particularly in western New York, and foster clean energy jobs in the region that would be associated with installing, operating, and maintaining the PV facilities and other related support functions.
In addition to offering clean power to the host facilities, NYPA’s project will examine the technical and economic feasibility of large-scale power at distributed locations, explore the use of solar power as localized electric generation to support the electric grid, and defer the need for new distribution lines.
NYPA’s RFEI can be accessed at http://www.nypa.gov/100mwSolarRFEI.htm. The deadline for receipt of proposals is July 7.
The information provided through the RFEI will assist the power authority in determining the feasibility of taking the next step of preparing a solar project RFP which, if issued, would likely result in project commencement in 2010.