The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's ( NYSERDA) New York Energy $mart^SM initiative currently has several programs that, when combined with the PV cash incentives, could help offset the total installation costs of a PV system by 40-70%.

Listed below are two examples of the New York Energy $mart^SM Incentive in action - both residential and commercial.

		Residential - New York, NY Net Cost After Incentives Cost $ 18,240 Incentives Source: NYSERDA Buydown (Res.) (June 2004) $ (9,120) Source: Federal Tax Credit (Res.) $ (2,000) Source: NY Tax Credit (Jan. 2006) $ (1,780) Total $ (12,900) Taxes on Incentives Source: NY Tax Credit (Jan. 2006) $ (498.00) Total $ (498.00) NET COST $ 5,838
		Commercial - Albany, NY Net Cost After Incentives Cost $ 528,000 Incentives Source: NYSERDA Buydown (Com.) $ (200,000) Source: Federal Tax Credit (Jan. 2006) $ (98,400) Total $ (298,400) NET COST $ 229,600

What do I need to know to participate in the New York Energy $mart^SM PV Incentive Program?

There are a three key pieces of information that you will need to know to determine if a new PV system is eligible for funding:

1) PV System Size - While incentives are capped at 50kW, PV systems can be larger than 50 kilowatt (kW). As a point of reference, a 2kW PV system could provide about 20% to 30% of the energy needs of an average home.

2) Grid-Connected - PV systems must be connected to your utility's electricity distribution system or "grid-connected." PV systems for homes or facilities that are not on a utility distribution system are not eligible for funding under this program.

3) New York State System Benefits Charge - PV systems must be installed at a site that pays into the System Benefits Charge (SBC). If you pay into the SBC, it will say so on your utility bill. If you are uncertain, please contact your electric utility. Some commercial and industrial customers do not pay into the Systems Benefit Charge, so check with your utility to be sure. Electric customers of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) are not eligible for funding under this program. If you are a LIPA or NYPA customer, please contact your utility to see if they have similar programs.

What is a typical system configuration?

Take a look at a typical system configuration from the Affordable-Solar store here.

Where do I find out more?

Call Affordable-Solar toll free at 1-800-810-9939.
and visit the web site at: nyserda.org