New York, National Grid Select 120 Megawatts of Community Solar Projects to Benefit Underserved Customers

The New York Energy Research Department Authority in collaboration with National Grid on Oct. 17 announced 21 community solar projects, equalling more than 120 megawatts, have been chosen in the course of the first round of a community solar program that provides the advantages of clean energy to underprivileged communities in the state.

The Expanded Solar for All Program approved by the New York Public Service Commission, will assist approximately 175,000 income qualified customers in National Grid’s upstate service regions once entirely employed. The program is a practical and feasible system for providing community solar bill credits to low-income customers in National Grid’s service territory, who have had insufficient opportunities to participate in clean energy.

The announcement by the authority is in accordance with the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act directive for at least 35 percent, with a target of 40 percent of the gain of clean energy investment be intended for disadvantaged communities.

Following the results of the first round of the solar program, an additional round of projects is estimated to be chosen next year. National Grid expects to provide up to $240 million in total bill credits throughout the 25 year lifespan of the program, as part of the program’s first phase. The second phase of the program is expected to double the projected bill credits to around $480 million over the program’s duration. The federal Inflation Reduction Act, that came into effect in August, is projected to further strengthen the states strategy to push cost savings from solar energy to underprivileged communities.

As part of community solar projects, a large array of solar panels can be installed at an offsite location that permits homeowners to access solar power without mounting panels on their homes. In this way, electricity is served through the regular electric supplier, whilst the electricity generated from the community solar array is diverted directly back to the electricity network and customers obtain credits on their electricity bill.