http://sunpluggers.com/news/new-york-power-authority-advances-plan-for-massive-solar-pv-increase-0496The New York Power Authority has begun reviewing bids for developing as much as 100 megawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity over the next four years, about five times the amount now installed throughout the state.
The agency, a state-owned utility that now produces about 75 percent of its electricity from hydropower, has received 43 bids for solar projects after issuing a request for proposals in January.
Solar PV arrays are to be installed on roofs or the ground at public or private kindergarten-through-Grade-12 schools, public universities and colleges, state and local government facilities, and municipal and rural electric cooperative systems -- community-owned electric systems in Western New York and other parts of the state that benefit from low-cost hydropower from the authority. In addition to the Buffalo-Niagara region and 11 other counties in Western New York, the identified regions for hosting the solar generating systems are Northern New York, Central New York, Southeastern New York and New York City.
The 100 megawatts of solar production capacity will be enough to fulfill the annual needs of about 15,000 households.
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