Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced the completion of a solar energy and battery storage system on the State University of New York (SUNY) campus in New Paltz, New York.
The system provides continuous solar photovoltaic power generation and supports the college's efforts to sustainably offset its reliance on the electrical power grid. The corresponding battery storage unit will be used at times of high electric demand and during emergencies or power outages to support the college's designated emergency shelter for the campus and community at the college's Elting Gymnasium.
The project supports Cuomo's initiative to increase the transmission of clean and renewable energy to meet an energy storage target of 1,500 MW in New York State by 2025.
Cuomo’s office also noted, “From planned research on this system, New York State utilities will be able to optimize the amount of renewable energy utilized on the state's power grid, supporting the Governor's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030.”
The $1.37 million project will install solar panels for the 217-kilowatt project on the roofs of the gym and the nearby Sojourner Truth Library to support the battery storage system. This will allow the college to utilize stored solar power during emergencies and times of peak energy demand. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) implemented the renewable energy and resiliency upgrades.
More than $580,000 in funding for the project came from Cuomo's BuildSmart NY program, a comprehensive statewide initiative to increase energy efficiency in public buildings. In addition, $272,000 of funding came from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the solar portion of this project as well as through NY-Sun, Governor Cuomo's initiative to advance the scale-up of solar and move the state closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry.
An additional $189,000 came from Central Hudson Gas & Electric, the college's local utility. The additional costs for the project were financed by NYPA and will be repaid by the college.
This project was led by NYPA in partnership with SUNY New Paltz. NYPA, NYSERDA and the Electric Power Research Institute are utilizing this project to research additional technical and economic benefits of the project. The research is being done through EPRI's Integrated Grid initiative.
