Alternative #5 - Solar Photovoltaics

New York could follow California's lead with their own "million solar roof initiative".

Below is an excerpt from Appendix G-4 of the "Indian Point Replacement Study"http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11666&page=176:

The estimated technical potential for rooftop installations in the New York City area (Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island) in 2025 is 18-20 GW (NYSERDA, 2003; Navigant Consulting, 2004).

The existing subsidy programs for PV systems in New York are well subscribed, indicating that accelerated PV deployment is quite possible. Current installed system prices are about $8/W in New York State, with a $4/W buy-down, leaving a final cost to the consumer of about $4/W. If financed over the life of a system (30 years) at a 6 percent interest rate (~4 percent real interest rate after tax benefits) the levelized cost of energy from such a PV system would be about 13.5¢/kWh. With current average residential electricity prices above 20¢/kWh in New York City, an investment in a PV system could look attractive to many consumers.

NYSERDA's Solar Electric Initiative http://www.powernaturally.org/Programs/Solar/incentives.asp