PSC Approves New Shared Renewables Program

NY Utilities Will Now Allow Shared Ownership of Renewable Energy Systems

ALBANY, NY (07/16/2015)(readMedia)-- Following today's ruling by the NYS Public Service Commission to establish a statewide Community Net Metering program, Anne Reynolds, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, made the following statement:

"Shared renewables, often referred to as Community Net Metering, is an exciting new program that will allow groups of New Yorkers to invest together in renewable energy projects and share their many benefits. This is a landmark initiative that will allow those who couldn't before invest in rooftop solar – either because they rent, live in multi-family homes, or have shady roofs – to participate in the booming solar market. Other renewable energy technologies can tap into this opportunity as well, and clean energy will now be accessible to more New Yorkers than ever."

"If a family or a business generates clean electricity on site – using solar, wind power, hydropower, biogas, or fuel cells – New York State law provides for "net metering," which allows customers to essentially sell back the electricity they are not using to the utility, mostly at retail rates. Net metering has been an enormously successful program to support clean energy technologies. With today's decision, shared renewables will allow ten or more families or businesses to invest in clean energy together, and share net metering credits."

Note: The details of the program have not yet been released, but will be included in an Order of the Public Service Commission.

Community net metering could create exciting new business models:

  • A group of neighbors could install rooftop solar on one sunny home, but share the benefits.
  • A condo association could install a small wind turbine, with individual owners sharing the benefits.
  • Commercial tenants renting space in an industrial park could invest in fuel cells and share output.
  • A church could invest in a small hydropower project and sell clean energy shares to its parishioners.
  • A landlord installing renewable energy could pool interested renters to cover costs and share benefits.

"The Alliance for Clean Energy New York welcomes and applauds this Commission decision, which will bring New York State one important step closer to its clean energy future."

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About the Alliance for Clean Energy New York:

The Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY) is a broad coalition dedicated to promoting clean energy, energy efficiency, a healthy environment, and a strong economy for the Empire State, and is New York's premier advocate for the rapid adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. www.aceny.org