Go Solar New York
We can tap the virtually limitless energy from the sun to heat and light our homes, businesses, farms and schools. Solar will create jobs here in New York and keep energy dollars in our local economies, while reducing our global warming pollution. Our staff and members are working to help New York go solar by passing the New York Solar Jobs Act, the most ambitious solar power program in state history.
New York can be a solar competitor
New York must develop a vibrant clean energy economy based on homegrown solar energy to help end our dependence on dirty fossil fuels. This will protect our environment, improve the state’s economy, create good green jobs right here in New York, and save the state’s residents and businesses money on their energy bills.
Unfortunately, New York falls far behind other states in promoting clean, renewable solar power. New Yorkers have been sending nearly every dollar we spend on energy beyond our borders to other states and nations, losing money and continuing our over-reliance on dirty fossil fuels.
The sun gives us the resources we need to create jobs and supply our energy right here on our own rooftops, and it's time for New York to become a leader in the solar economy.
Solar Jobs Act would mean 100 times more solar power, and 22,000 more jobs
That’s why Environment New York is working to pass the New York Solar Jobs Act. The bill would create 100 times more solar power than New York currently produces by 2025 — the equivalent of five coal-fired powered plants. This visionary bill has been introduced in the New York Assembly by Assemblyman Steve Englebright (A5713), and in the State Senate by Sen. George Maziarz (S4178).
The New York Solar Jobs Act will dramatically increase solar power over the next 15 years, creating a clean homegrown source for New York's energy needs.
According to analysis by Vote Solar, meeting the solar targets in the bill would:
- Create 22,000 jobs from solar power by 2025;
- Bring in $20 billion in economic activity to New York’s economy;
- Increase New York's production of solar power by more than 100 times our current levels, or generate enough electricity to replace five full size coal plants;
- Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of taking more than 2.5 million cars off the road.
Key Facts
- From 2010 to 2011, jobs in the solar sector grew 10 times faster than the rest of the economy.
- The New York Solar Jobs Act would increase New York’s solar production 100 times over — generating enough power to replace five full-size coal plants.
- The bill would also reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by the same amount as taking more than 2.5 million cars off the road.