New York State has revised its rules so that it is easier to build and benefit from renewable power arrays on businesses and homes.
The use of so-called net metering allows building owners in New York, either residential or commercial, to install solar power generating arrays or wind turbines and then generate power for the electrical grid. It is touted as a environmentally and job-friendly way to reduce dependence on fossil fuel, while helping New York meets its energy needs without resorting to building huge generating plants.
But when new net metering rules were issued in March, critics said that utilities had influenced the state Public Service Commission to artificially cap the amount of electricity that could be generated through use of a phrase in of the new regulations that limited the size of an array to amounts of electricity the facility or home had used in the last 12 months.
Under the new rules, nonresidential customers will be able to install renewable energy systems as large as two megawatts, opening up a so-far largely untapped market for solar and wind manufacturers and installers to sell their arrays, and allowing building owners to begin profiting from vacant rooftops and land.
“The expansion of the ability for businesses to install larger renewable energy devices is a major
step forward in our quest to create a clean energy economy in New York,” said PSC Chairman Garry Brown. “Renewable power systems reduce stress on the electric grid, allow consumers to offset rising energy costs, provide environmental benefits, and will help stimulate the creation of clean energy jobs in New York.”
“This new law is one of the most expansive in the country,” said Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, chairman of the Assembly energy committee, who had criticized the initial regulations and pushed the PSC to set a higher ceiling. “By promoting clean energy and providing businesses with cost effective solutions, we are bringing New York to the forefront of the new energy economy through the use of net metering.”
