The NY-Sun initiative announced April 5 that it will be doling out $13.5 million for projects aimed at reducing the cost of installing solar systems and to help streamline the inspection process.
Of the $13.5 million now available, $10 million will support efforts to lower the overall cost of non-module PV systems and $3.5 million will fund a two-year statewide effort to educate local officials and first responders.
The $10 million, being equally funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA), will focus on projects that reduce PV balance-of-system (BOS) costs, which are all the upfront costs of the PV system except the module. BOS costs can account for more than half of total system costs, and include equipment and installation.
The program will seek to maximize private leverage and demonstrate business models that could be adopted at scale by the marketplace. In addition, this program will advance streamlining the procedures for permitting and interconnection to reduce BOS costs. Projects will be selected on a competitive basis.
First-round proposals are due July 30 and second-round proposals due Jan. 30, 2014.
NYSERDA is offering $3.5 million to support education and training on PV for local officials who might have a role in the permitting, inspection or approval of a PV system and for first responders who might encounter PV systems while fighting fires. Proposals for education and training are due June 6.
