Con Edison Files Proposal With PSC For Solar Energy Program

Published: 05-Mar-2009

Con Edison, a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., has filed a proposal with the Public Service Commission (PSC) for 18 month solar energy pilot program this week. The program covers homes, businesses, and the company's own facilities, with an aim of generating 12 megawatts (MW) of solar power by 2011. If the program receives approval, it will generate around 5 MW from large installations of 200 kilowatts or more; 5 MW from smaller installations.

Smaller installations are mainly for residential or small to medium commercial customers.

The program also generates around 2 MW on the company facilities in daytime peak-electric use neighborhoods.

One megawatt can power around 1,000 homes.

The company’s filing supports solar power recommendations from Governor Paterson's Renewable Energy Task Force and the city' PlaNYC energy goals, and complements the state's overall effort to make New York's energy portfolio greener, diversified, and secure.

Con Edison says that the planned program is a first step in promoting a vibrant solar industry in New York. The program especially focuses on given the number of underused and easily accessible flat roofs across the service area on commercial and residential buildings. The program also be supported by complementary business development efforts, including New York' semiconductor industry, other high tech sectors like software design, and research and development efforts underway at private companies and public universities.

The company's filing notes that the pilot is planned to provide a jumpstart for solar installations.

The pilot program will study potential impact of solar installations on the electric grid's most heavily-used sections, explore cost and available funding for solar generation, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of fossil fuels. The company also expects the program to yield important insights about customer interest in solar, its potential impact on system operations, and to spur more expansive projects after results are evaluated.

Stimulus appropriations, federal and New York City tax incentives, and New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) funds will be sought to defray the expected $20-$25 million initial pilot program costs, based on anticipated responses.

From the White House to Albany to City Hall, renewable energy is seen as a keystone for freeing the country from its dependence on fossil fuels and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, while creating new jobs, said Gurudatta Nadkarni, Con Edison vice president for strategic planning. What we learn will be invaluable, allowing us to better map the maximum beneficial impact of future investment in solar for our customers and the

electric grid.

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