In Riverkeeper's 2008 Legislative and Policy Agenda, we called on the New York State Legislature to introduce and pass legislation which would increase incentives for the installation of solar systems on commercial and business complexes.

We are pleased to announce that the New York State Assembly passed a bill in June 2008, A.9902, that would do just that! Now we need the Senate to pass its version!

Why is a new bill needed?

A 2008 report recently rated state statutes on solar installation capacity and regulations across the country. New York received a “D,” while neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania received “A’s” and Connecticut a “B.” New York is one of only two states in the country that does not have a net metering law allowing business and commercial property owners to sell unused power back to the electrical utility for a profit.

New York State's Renewable Energy Task Force has identified net metering law limitations as critical impediments to increasing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in New York State. Currently, the State limits net metering to PV systems up to 10 kilowatts (KW) – lessening incentives for larger installations on business complexes that use far more energy than residential and small business owners.

Expansion of the current Net Metering program should increase the eligibility of solar PV systems to 25kW for residential and 2 megawatts for commercial customers. It also should increase the overall net metering limits to allow for maximum generation.

Update:

In June 2008 the New York State Assembly passed A.9902 (description below). The Senate version (S.8059) has been referred to committee.

A.9902/S.8059:

Provides for the net energy metering of solar, wind, fuel cell and farm waste
electric generating systems for both residential and business customers;
increases the rated capacity of eligible solar electric generating equipment to
2,000 kilowatts; provides for the metering and fees for such electric
generating equipment.

Riverkeeper strongly supports expansion of the current Net Metering laws and will actively work to see such legislation passed by both the State Senate and Assembly.