Paterson's solar power plan envisions 50,000 jobs
Proposal to be unveiled today at Buffalo conference
Published: May 15, 2009, 12:30 am
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Gov. David A. Paterson will announce today that the state’s two power authorities will purchase up to 150 megawatts of solar power through a program aiming to make the state the nation’s second-biggest solar power producer.
Paterson chose a solar power conference in the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center attended by about 3,000 people from around the nation to unveil the plan, which his staff says eventually could create not only a new source of electricity but also 50,000 jobs in an entire new manufacturing industry.
The program basically centers on invitations from the state and Long Island power authorities for private electrical generators to produce the power from solar panels instead of through coal or imported oil.
“This is huge,” said Paul DeCotis, the governor’s deputy secretary for energy. “You’re talking about close to $1 billion worth of development as you build out.”
He also said power producers will get incentives to produce solar equipment in the state along the lines of a new partnership with General Electric Co. in Schenectady County that is expected to create 350 such manufacturing jobs.
Given the area’s ability to provide skilled workers, manufacturing facilities and transportation infrastructure, De- Cotis also said the governor expects that Western New York will get many of the thousands of new jobs.
“We’re talking about building a new clean energy economy,” he said. “We’re positioning ourselves to be world leaders.”
DeCotis said the plan aims to entice solar — or photovoltaic — power producers to mount solar panels on large buildings such as malls or university facilities. While the solar panels would generate enough electricity for the facility, excess capacity could be sold to the power authorities and enter the state’s electrical grid.
The 150-megawatt total is considered substantial, he said, and eliminates the need to generate that power in a coal or oil facility.
While Paterson recently announced a 50-megawatt project led by the Long Island Power Authority, the program he will announce today will center around the State Power Authority. It will issue a “request for expressions of interest” that seeks a public-private partnership for the installation of up to 100 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems.
To convey the scope of the program, DeCotis cited the solar power project planned on the University at Buffalo North Campus in Amherst.
“At UB last week, we announced 1 megawatt in a central station unit,” he said. “Imagine 150 of those.”
State officials envision roof-and ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays at municipal facilities, public and private schools, businesses and state agencies throughout the state.
Specifically, the State Power Authority will seek proposals that would promote local component manufacturing and assembly. Such economic benefits could include opportunities to manufacture photovoltaic components in the state, particularly Western New York, and foster clean energy jobs in installing, operating and maintaining the facilities and in providing support services.
Paterson is expected to tout the plan today as part of a comprehensive program that so far involves the new effort at GE, a new “smart corridor” on Long Island that assists Long Island Power Authority customers in monitoring and reducing energy use, and a $25 million state investment to advance the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle industry.
“We can now become exporters of this clean energy,” DeCotis said. “It’s a bold vision that we will do piece by piece.”
Paterson has set the goal that by 2015, the state will get 45 percent of its electricity through energy efficiency and clean renewable sources.
rmccarthy@buffnews.com
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