The Vote Solar Initiative, a non-profit, industry advocacy organization, recently released a report detailing the possible impact of the New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act of 2010 (aka the “Solar Jobs Act”), which is currently pending in the state legislature. Among the report’s notable bits:

• To date, New York currently has fewer than 25 megawatts of solar generating capacity installed, an amount that represents less than 0.01 percent of the state’spower mix. If passed, the legislation would see this amount rise to 5,000 megawatts (MWs) by 2025, with milestones in the intervening years of 2015 and 2020.
• Passage of the New York Solar Jobs Act could create as many as 22,000 new jobs through 2025 and generate some $20 billion in economic activity.
• While solar power is, at present, more expensive than conventional sources of electricity, the overall impact of reaching the bill’s 2025 target would, according to the report’s assumptions, be minimal: a typical residential ratepayer in New York would on average pay just $0.39 per month more than they would otherwise.

As if that weren’t enough to motivate New York lawmakers, the report’s authors emphasize that inaction on the bill equates to losing to New Jersey: “New York is already losing solar trainees and economic output to neighboring New Jersey, which installs nearly five times as much solar annually.” Clearly, no right-minded New Yorker would want THIS…

According to Vote Solar, the New York Solar Jobs Act has three broad components:

(1) A strong 2.5% by 2025 target that amounts to a whopping 5,000 MW of solar capacity. That long-term commitment sends a clear signal to

the global industry that New York is open for solar business.

(2) A structure for diverse market participation that taps economic opportunities across the commercial, residential and utility sectors alike.

(3) Achievable annual requirements that start small and get more aggressive in later years as the local market scales and costs come down. This policy design paves the way for successful, cost-effective solar growth.

If you’re a New Yorker who believes it’s important to continue the transition to newer, cleaner and safer sources of power, consider telling your state reps.