"This administration has taken real steps towards going solar, and these steps are paying off"

WASHINGTON, DC - Saying it would enhance regulatory certainty and bolster the investment climate in New York's solar market, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) today congratulated Governor Andrew Cuomo's decision to transition the state's multiple solar programs into the single, statewide NY-Sun Incentive Program.

"This administration has taken real steps towards going solar, and these steps are paying off," said SEIA president and CEO Rhone Resch. "New York is moving quickly up our Solar State rankings, due largely to the actions of New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA), which has recognized the value of clean, renewable solar energy to the state's economy and environment. We congratulate the administration on its development of the MW Block program, which will drive down costs, attract significant capital investment, and limit the cost to ratepayers by imposing discipline on the market."

Today, Resch added, there are more than 415 solar companies and 5,000 employees at work throughout the solar value chain in New York. In 2013, $343 million was invested in New York to install solar for home, business and utility use. This represents a 12% increase over the previous year, and is expected to grow again this year. There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 45,800 homes.