New York is on the way to One Million Solar Strong!
New York lawmakers have passed the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act, the nation's most ambitious climate planAct now to make New York One Million Solar Strong
Together, we can power one million homes with solar and accelerate an equitable transition to our clean energy futureAct now to make New York One Million Solar Strong
Together, we can power one million homes with solar and accelerate a just transition to our clean energy futureWe Did It, New York!
Lawmakers have passed New York’s landmark Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act, the most ambitious climate bill in the nation! Governor Cuomo signed this groundbreaking bill into law on July 18, 2019. Thanks to thousands of New Yorkers who spoke out for solar jobs and savings, healthier air, and a more just energy future, we are now officially on the way to a Million Solar Strong New York and 100% clean electricity.
We must be tireless and vigilant to build a new energy economy that is both clean and just across the U.S., and ensure New York implements these complex new policies in a way that delivers on today’s promise of an equitable transition to 100% clean energy. Our lives and the world that we’re leaving to our children depend on it.
Thanks to our tremendous partners for joining with us for a Million Solar Strong New York and to the thousands who were part of this remarkable clean energy and climate justice success story.
Make New York One Million Solar Strong
Join the call for a Million Solar Strong New York! Governor Cuomo has committed to move New York to 100% carbon-free energy by 2040 and has doubled the state’s solar goal, for enough local solar to power a million homes by 2025. Let’s make it happen on rooftops and in communities across the state, including low- and moderate-income communities, urban and rural communities, and especially in environmental justice communities.
We’re calling on Governor Cuomo and the New York legislature to resist the Trump Administration’s attacks on progress and follow through on clean energy commitments with bold action: Build a #SolarStrongNY with one million homes powered by solar over the next five years. A million homes powered by solar will create local jobs, save New Yorkers on utility bills, increase economic investment, cut harmful air pollution, and accelerate an equitable transition to our clean energy future. This is the most important decision our elected leaders can make to protect our growing local solar industry in 2019 — and it’s the right choice for New York.
The Problem
Climate change and air pollution endanger all New Yorkers, and climate-fueled weather is reaching devastating new extremes, like Hurricane Sandy and the recent Hurricane Maria. But the Trump Administration is doing everything in its power to move backward on climate action and keep the big polluters in charge. Our economy relies on good local jobs, yet the Trump Administration has targeted and damaged our homegrown solar industry.
In an era without federal leadership, Governor Cuomo has made major steps to move New York in the right direction on climate and clean energy. But the attacks on climate and economic progress call for bold and urgent efforts to accelerate our transition to clean power. And while many New Yorkers have tapped into the benefits of clean energy, many more need access. Our communities can’t wait for visionary action.
The Solar Solution: Build a #SolarStrongNY
We worked with broad coalitions of New Yorkers to achieve a huge victory: New York lawmakers have codified New York’s new solar goals into law with strong commitments to low-income and environment justice communities, for a brighter and more just energy future.
Together, we can achieve a more equitable transition to clean energy that grows our economy and protects our climate. Now that the bill has passed, we’ll work with New York leadership to ensure it delivers on its promise.
The Million Solar Strong goal includes options to bring solar access to renters and others who can’t place solar on their roofs. This vision will drive:
Environmental Leadership
With environmental and clean energy progress under attack every day by the Trump Administration, we need New York’s elected leaders to take bold action now more than ever.
Economic Opportunity
Clean Energy Equity
Did You Know?
The U.S. is already Two Million Solar Strong!
Solar Installations Nationwide
New York Homes Powered by Solar
Building on New York's Solar Success
Homes Powered By Solar
Solar Jobs
%
Price Decline in Past 5 Years
Billion in Total Solar Investment
Building on New York's Solar Success
With 1,425 gigawatts of solar deployed across the state, New York is already delivering solar successes. Meeting Gov. Cuomo’s new 6 gigawatt goal will achieve:
Homes Powered By Solar
Solar Jobs (116% Increase)
BILLION in earnings for solar workers
BILLION in Local Economic Benefits
When the Trump Administration Blocks Climate and Solar Progress,
New York Must Lead the Way.
Governor Cuomo has taken significant steps to make New York a solar and climate leader, and he started 2019 by setting a bold new solar goal. But the Trump Administration’s reckless actions require strong legislative action to make aspirational goals a reality. New York must redouble its efforts to ensure our climate and solar progress. Our lawmakers must codify Gov. Cuomo’s solar goals into law and include provisions for New Yorkers to make a huge leap in an equitable transition to clean energy:
Total Homes Powered by Solar Energy
Households Powered From Low-to-Moderate Income & Frontline Commuities
Roadmap to One Million
Read our policy roadmaps for the details on how New York can establish the programs and policies to achieve the mission of one million households powered by solar.
See how to ensure that our communities transition to clean energy through broad and equitable participation, which will bring the benefits of solar to 100,000 more low-income households.
Roadmap to One Million Solar Households
Roadmap for Low-Income Customers
Roadmap to One Million
We’re calling on lawmakers to build Gov. Cuomo’s solar goals into the Climate & Community Protection Act and strengthen the bill to ensure New York can:
- Jumpstart a strong clean energy economy right now to create more than 11,000 local jobs, and attract billions in investments for communities all across the state with real, tangible benefits that will help build the economy and political power we need to move to a carbon-free future.
- Lead the way on an equitable transition and build community resilience. Invest 40% of the state’s climate fund into low-income communities, communities of color, and frontline communities. Create programs that use solar to save 250,000 families from low-income, moderate-income and frontline communities directly on their electric bills.
- End our fossil fuel addiction and build a carbon-free economy. With time running out on climate, New York can’t wait another year to act. Move New York to 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and set a path to a carbon-free economy by 2050 — moving ALL sectors of the economy off of fossil fuels, not just electricity
- Set legal deadlines for bold climate and clean energy action – not just aspirational goals. We need long-term plans to avoid the worst effects of climate change. But we need near-term action now with a 2025 solar goal to keep growing our clean economy, improving public health, and strengthening resilience to climate disasters.
Read Vote Solar’s report on how powering New York with one million solar homes will create thousands of new jobs and billions of dollars in economic benefits.
Read the Report
Take Action
The Coalition For a #SolarStrongNY
The Million Solar Strong Coalition is comprised of industry, environmental, justice and community organizations united by the vision of a strong clean energy economy that works for all New Yorkers.
Press
For media inquiries, please contact Rosalind Jackson at rosalind@votesolar.org or use the form below.