NY GOV WANTS 100 MEGAWATTS OF SUN

NY wants to install 100 MW of solar power
Scott DiSavino, May 15, 2009 (Reuters)

"New York wants to install up to 100 megawatts of solar photovoltaic power at public and private facilities to help meet the state's aggressive renewable mandate, the governor said…[T]he state-owned power generating company, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), will seek parties interested in entering into public-private partnerships with the state to install the solar arrays.

"The solar power generated by the arrays would power about 15,000 homes…Proposals are due by July 7. The state said any proposals it selects would likely start in 2010."

NY state does not have great solar assets but they are far better than Germany's and Germany - thanks to its FiT - leads the world in installed solar capacity. (click to enlarge)

"The solar power would help the state meet the governor's 45-by-15 program…[and obtain] 45 percent of its electricity through energy efficiency and renewable power [by 2015]. The state has estimated the 45-by-15 program would create about 50,000 new jobs…"

By building a solar industry, NY state builds this supply chain. (click to enlarge)

"The state did not estimate how much it would cost to build 100 MW of solar power…A kilowatt costs an estimated $6,000…It could cost about $600 million to build 100 MW of solar photovoltaic power…Wind power, meanwhile, costs about $1,900 per kilowatt to build onshore and $3,800 per kilowatt offshore, while combined cycle natural gas-fired generation costs about $1,000 per kilowatt and coal-fired generation costs about $2,000 per kilowatt.

"Unlike natural gas and coal-fired generation, wind and solar power are only available about a third of the time…But fossil fuels, like natural gas and coal, produce carbon dioxide, which is regulated in New York and will likely soon be regulated by the federal government because of its links to global warming."