Governor Kathy Hochul announced that 8 GW of distributed solar has been installed in New York State, putting the state ahead of schedule to reach 10 GW by 2030. This growth in the distributed solar market has generated approximately $12.2 billion in private investment in New York and created more than 16,000 jobs statewide.
A solar project in Westchester County, New York, owned by DSD Renewables, operated by Perch Energy. Photo credit: DSD Renewables
“New York continues to raise the bar as we mark another milestone for solar energy in our communities across the state,” said Hochul. “This is low-cost, reliable clean energy that delivers cost savings to families and businesses while increasing the availability of renewable energy, benefiting our environment and economy and contributing to New York’s diverse energy resource mix.”
There is enough solar energy to power more than 1.3 million homes and businesses across the state. There are currently more than 276,000 projects in operation, with a further 2.7 GW under development. Community solar projects expanded access to clean energy in New York by allowing households and businesses to sign up for solar projects without installing panels on their own properties.
“New York is home to 35% of community solar generation, securing its position as the largest community solar market in the country,” said Doreen M. Harris, president and CEO of NYSERDA. “Solar energy is one of the most reliable contributors to our state’s electric grid and by producing energy during peak load periods it lowers energy costs for all New Yorkers, not just those who participate in community solar.”
Last summer, solar power generation helped New Yorkers save an estimated $90 million by reducing demand on the electric grid during periods of peak electricity use. On June 3, New York set a new record for solar power generation when solar power supplied approximately 29% of statewide electricity demand during midday.
“We are seeing the benefits of New York’s solar assets in real time,” said Rory Christian, chairman and CEO of the New York Public Service Commission. “Solar energy reduces pressure on our electric grid while providing significant reliability benefits, especially during periods of peak demand. The milestone we are celebrating today is a win for affordability and clean energy for all New Yorkers.”
After reaching the original goal of 6 GW of distributed solar by 2024, New York installed a record-breaking 1.28 GW of solar in a single year in 2025. NY-Sun program provides incentives to make solar energy more affordable and accessible to homes, businesses and communities, while lowering their energy costs and improving the efficiency and reliability of New York’s electric grid. Hochul has committed $200 million from New York’s 2027 budget to NY-Sun, which will help expand New York’s success in solar energy and continue to improve energy affordability for all New Yorkers.
Initiated in 2024 by the Public Service Commission and part of NY-Sun, the statewide Solar For All program is designed to automatically reduce bills for low-income New Yorkers, including those living in an underserved community and enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program. Statewide Solar for All offers eligible low-income households free electric bill savings by sharing the rebates generated by community solar projects.
News release from NYSERDA
