Eight Gigawatts of Distributed Solar Installed in New York (NYSERDA)

Solar and battery energy storage are becoming increasingly important as New York’s electricity demand and costs rise. New York electricity rates are already 48% higher than the national average and continue to climb. Electrification of buildings and transportation, extreme weather, and rapid growth in energy-intensive projects such as data centers and advanced manufacturing are placing new pressure on the grid. Distributed solar can generate electricity close to where it is consumed, while battery storage can preserve that power for periods of peak demand, when electricity is most constrained and expensive. 

Together, these resources can reduce costly peak-period power purchases, strengthen reliability, defer some grid infrastructure investments, and help protect families, businesses, and local economies from escalating energy costs. And just as importantly, they help reduce New York’s reliance on fossil fuels and advance the state’s climate goals.