Governor Hochul Announces Deployment of More Than 30 Megawatts of Solar Energy Throughout Upstate New York

New York Power Authority, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Complete Installation of More Than 75,000 Solar Panels — Enough to Power 7,000 Homes

Arrays Will Reduce Carbon Emissions by 4,500 Tons, Save State $10 Million in Energy Costs

Governor Kathy Hochul today, during Earth Week, announced the deployment of more than 30 megawatts of solar energy throughout upstate New York. The New York Power Authority designed and implemented solar energy systems at five New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision facilities comprised of more than 75,000 solar panels—enough to power 7,000 homes. The projects directly support the goals of New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which calls for 70 percent of New York’s electricity to be sourced from renewable energy by 2030, including six gigawatts of solar by 2025 on a path to 10 gigawatts by decade’s end.

“Achieving New York’s ambitious climate and clean energy goals requires historic investments in renewable energy,” Governor Hochul said. “By installing more than 75,000 solar panels at DOCCS facilities, New York continues to lead by example, paving the way for a brighter, greener future for all.”

The five solar energy arrays—located at Wende, Mid-State, Greene, Eastern and Green Haven state correctional facilities—are expected to save more than $10 million in energy costs throughout the course of their lifetimes. The photovoltaic energy systems at Wende and Greene correctional facilities will generate 6.9 MW of distributed solar while the remaining sites will generate 4.9 MW. In total, the projects will reduce carbon emissions by nearly 4,500 tons—the equivalent of removing 880 cars from the road.

New York Power Authority Acting President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Expanding New York’s solar capacity is a critical component in achieving the goals of New York’s Climate Act. The distributed solar energy systems installed at DOCCS sites throughout the state will generate more than $10 million in energy cost-savings and reduce emissions while moving New York further along in achieving its bold clean energy goals.”

Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci said, “DOCCS is proud of its participation in helping fulfill the Governor’s vision of reducing carbon emissions with the installation of solar arrays on correctional facility property to offset our carbon footprint. As the Department continues with our mission is to improve public safety, it is critical that we are conscientious of the impact of that work, particularly in support of the State’s climate initiatives.”

New York State Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is one of the strongest solar markets in the nation—bringing clean, affordable energy to every corner of the state, including our correctional and community supervision facilities. These five projects will reduce on-site emissions and cut energy costs for these facilities while helping achieve our Climate Act goals.”

The solar projects also received more than $5.2 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority through NY-Sun, the state’s $3.3 billion initiative to advance the scale-up of solar while making solar energy more accessible to homes, businesses and communities. Since its inception, solar in New York has grown more than 3,000 percent, leveraged nearly $7.3 billion in private investments, and decreased in cost by 73 percent. There are also approximately 13,400 people engaged in solar jobs across New York.

In addition to these five recently deployed projects, NYPA is currently constructing 33 energy efficiency projects at DOCCS facilities, totaling $124 million that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 27,600 metric tons—the equivalent of removing nearly 6,000 cars from the road. NYPA and DOCCS also are actively developing $230 million in energy efficiency improvement measures that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an additional 22,500 metric tons.

In the past 10 years, NYPA has partnered with DOCCS to implement 46 energy efficiency projects at 30 different facilities, saving more than $4 million in annual energy and maintenance costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 17,000 metric tons.

New York State’s Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State’s nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues fostering a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York’s unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.8 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2021 and a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with nearly 400 registered and 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.

About NYPA 

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.