With rising electricity needs, plenty of sunshine, and a local workforce primed for green jobs, New York has what it takes to lead the new solar economy. But the state has a policy structure that’s supported less than 25 MW of installed solar to date – that’s not even 0.01% of New York’s electricity mix. As a result, clean energy jobs and investment have been pouring into neighboring states that have more aggressive policies.

The state needs a better policy framework in order to build the world-class solar market that New Yorkers deserve. The Solar Industry Development & Jobs Act of 2010 provides that much-needed blueprint for solar leadership:

1. A strong 2.5% by 2025 target that amounts to a whopping 5,000 MW of solar capacity. That long-term commitment sends a clear signal to the global industry that New York is open for solar business.

2. A structure for diverse market participation that taps economic opportunities across the commercial, residential and utility sectors alike.

3. Achievable annual requirements that start small and get more aggressive in later years as the local market scales and costs come down. This policy design paves the way for successful, cost-effective solar growth.

Help New York go solar! Tell Albany you support the Solar Jobs Act today.

Additional Resources

Fact Sheets:

• NEW Economic Report: Green Jobs, Revenues & Rate Impacts
• Solar Jobs Act Policy Design: What it does & how it works

Press Highlights:

• 6/18/10 – Albany Times-Union “Creativity in End of Session Ad Blitzes.”
• 6/15/10 – Greentech Media “New Energy. New Jobs. New York.”
• 6/13/10 – Treehugger “Urge New York State to Pass Solar Jobs.”
• 6/10/10 – Reuters “The Power of Solar Energy.”
• 6/10/10 – ReCharge “Group Sees NY Bill Generating Economic Bonanza.”
• 6/10/10 – Daily Finance “More Solar to Heat up New York’s Economy.”
• 6/9/10 – Grist “Report: New York Solar Bill Could Generate 22,000 Jobs.”

Press Releases:

• 6/9/2010: Report: NY Solar Job Act Would Create 22,000 Jobs, $20 Billion
• 5/11/2010: Assembly Energy Committee Passes Bill to Put Charge NY Solar

Want to learn more? Check out this nifty video from the Empire State Solar Initiative, a project of our friends at Solar One.