Sept. 29, 2014: New York Announces Solar Power Program for Schools
To Date, More Than 115 School Districts Have Registered, Representing Over 400 Schools
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the rollout of K-Solar, a program under the $1 billion NY-Sun Initiative, to help public school districts throughout New York state lower their energy costs with solar power. The program will provide schools with technical expertise and access to financing to make solar a realistic and affordable option for K-12 schools. To date, more than 115 school districts have registered to participate in the program, representing over 400 schools in communities across the state.
K-Solar is a joint partnership between the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), working with the New York State Education Department. NYPA is offering every New York state school district free energy advisory services and expertise to collaborate with school personnel in determining if solar energy is suitable and cost-effective for their district. The authority will work closely with the districts and the solar industry to secure the most attractive solar financing. These services will be free to schools, with the only costs being from the clean electricity generated from the installed solar panels. There is no limit to the number of public school districts that can participate in the program.
Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and chief executive officer, said, “With the new K-Solar program, schools will have an expert partner, at no cost, to take full advantage of statewide assistance to make solar installations a reality for their districts.”
NYSERDA administers the statewide NY-Sun Initiative program, which will lower the overall costs of the installations, and the State Education Department will work with the schools to streamline the solar permitting process.
John B. Rhodes, NYSERDA president and chief executive officer, said, “We look forward to helping school districts across the state gain access to clean, affordable solar energy and become hubs for community solar. Through K-Solar and the NY-Sun Initiative school districts can reduce costs and accelerate progress toward Governor Cuomo’s goal to make the state’s energy systems cleaner and more affordable, resilient, and reliable.”
John B. King Jr., State Education Commissioner, said, “K-Solar is an exciting initiative to give public schools throughout New York state an opportunity to harness solar power for a portion of their electricity needs. Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s innovative energy policies, solar power is gaining an increasing foothold in New York state, and this is about to get a further boost from K-Solar.”
For more information on K-Solar, visit www.nypa.gov/K-Solar/.
Publication date: 9/29/2014
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