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BINGHAMTON - Through 2011, New York state residents and companies installed solar systems that generated 83 megawatts of solar power. By the end of 2016, that number had jumped to about 744 megawatts, an increase of just under 800 percent The growth of solar installations is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) plan to generate 50 percent of the state's energy consumption from renewable resources by 2030.
CPACE
A key element of the governor's plan is Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). In November of last year, the state legislature created Commercial PACE (CPACE), designed to help commercial properties make energy-efficiency and renewable-energy up; grades to buildings. CPACE, which is formally known as Energize NY Commercial Financing, helps property owners find incentive programs; identity reliable and certified contractors and engineering firms; access low-cost, long-term financing; and create a |x>st-upgrade plan to verify and measure the energy savings. The end result is that building owners enjoy an increase to the property's value, all while generating positive cash flow from reduced energy costs.
Enter Southern Tier Solar Works (STSW). "We're the clean-energy, outreach-and-marketing program of the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition," says Michael Treiman, STSW solutions manager.
The coalition was formed in 2008 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to improve the quality of fife in the Binghamton region, which includes shifting to more sustainable energy sources. "STSW focuses on developing the solar industry in our region through education and outreach. While our primary regional focus is on five counties - Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Tioga - we respond to inquiries from across the Southern Tier. Most of our efforts have been directed to the residential sector educating homeowners to the benefits of clean energy, vetting local solar installers, providing free assessments, and helping with applications. With the passage last year of Energize NY Commercial (CPACE) financing, however, we have expanded our efforts to the commercial sector. Research shows that the Southern Tier has a tremendous potential estimated at 1(X),(XX) square-kilometers of solar space on rooftops and ground level. To date, Broome is one of only 13 municipalities to adopt the local law required to enable CPACE financing, which makes solar and other dean-energy measures more affordable to business and nonprofit building owners."
Municipal projects