A simple policy change will create 21,567 jobs and save residents $47.24 million on their energy bills
Albany, NY–A new economic and jobs analysis released today by the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) estimates that New York has the potential to add 21,567 jobs and earn $3.45 billion in local economic benefits with the passage of S.3521-A and A.3805-A, two bills that would enable solar bill credits to be transferred between utility companies.
According to CCSA’s analysis, this simple policy change would create an additional 2,000 MWs of new community solar capacity, allowing the state to serve 380,000 more residents and saving them $47.24 million in annual electricity costs between 2023-2025. This change would also expand solar access for 133,000 additional low-income families who are currently unable to access the benefits of renewable energy, saving them $16.5 million annually in electricity costs. CCSA’s analysis was conducted using the Jobs and Economic Impact Model developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
“This analysis demonstrates the far-reaching economic benefits that community solar can offer New York if arbitrary regulatory barriers are removed,” said Kaitlin Kelly O’Neill, Northeast Regional Director for CCSA. “Passage of cross-utility crediting represents a simple fix that will promote energy equity and inject billions of dollars into the state’s economy. Easy legislative fixes like these will be paramount if New York is to successfully meet its nation-leading clean energy and solar goals.”
Currently, regulations require that community solar customers and solar farms be located in the same utility service territory, creating significant barriers for downstate residents and Con Ed customers to access solar energy and participate in bill savings. S.3521-A/A.3805-A, introduced by Senator Kevin Parker (D – Brooklyn) and Assembly Member Michael Cusick (D – Staten Island), Chairman of the Energy Committees in their respective houses, would direct the New York Public Service Commission to eliminate the arbitrary geographic barriers drawn along utility service territory lines, allowing residents to participate in a community solar garden located anywhere in the state.
CCSA’s economic analysis can be found here.