Recognizing the emergence of solar energy as an important energy resource and the need to understand the feasibility of various solar applications in its service territory, [Con Edison] is proposing the implementation of a Solar Energy Pilot Program. This pilot program, consisting of three initiatives for developing solar resources, is designed to spur the development of approximately 12MW of solar energy over the next 18 months.

– Solar Energy Pilot Program proposal, Con Edison

And so begins Con Ed’s proposal to the New York State Public Service Commission, officially filed this week. The Commission has already shown marked support for solar: New York has long been one of the country’s leading states for solar policy and incentives. Although the solar rebate levels were recently scaled back (partly in response to the newly uncapped 30% ITC for residential solar installations), the state still offers $3/watt for residential solar. The state faces some challenges in figuring out how to incorporate solar successfully into the nation’s most densely populated and most built-up city; but Con Ed is eyeing the empty rooftops of buildings across Manhattan and the boroughs with eager speculation.

The introduction of 12 more megawatts of solar capacity would be used as a tool “to understand the network impact of solar resources, to test market mechanisms, and to engage customers and stakeholders”; Con Ed also suggests that its program would help evaluate the state of New York’s grid and determine how a greater reliance on solar would affect it long-term.

Funds for the program, as proposed, would come from a multitude of resources, including the recent stimulus package monies and the state’s RPS budget. The three prongs of the program are:

1. Customer Sited Distribution System Solar, 5 MW: aimed at smaller installations (the proposal indicates 6-200kw) with an eye to relieving peak load generation in particularly high-demand areas;
2. Company Property Solar Installations, 1.8 MW: wherein Con Ed would own and maintain solar generation facilities on its own property, as opposed to the other two (third-party) options; two of the proposed locations are in Manhattan, one of which might get to be  a thin-film guinea pig, and others are within the boroughs. And finally,
3. Solar RFP, 5 MW: wherein Con Ed would accept Requests For Proposals for large-scale (200kw and up) solar and foster a competitive atmosphere in the solar market.

This program, the utility estimates, would run about $20-25 million. Considering that billions are being tossed about these days like popcorn, that doesn’t seem so bad, does it? This is a program that could revivify solar in the Empire State. It might also spur its neighboring states to pick up the pace again–New Jersey’s SREC trading incentive program notwithstanding, the Northeast has been sluggish with new solar incentives of late. So let’s hear it for Con Edison, holding the solar torch high.