Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced the New York Institute for Special Education in the Bronx will be the site of the state's first solar schools project and will have solar panel arrays installed thanks to a power purchase agreement with SolarCity. This public-private partnership is the first such agreement under the Governor's K-Solar program, which is designed to increase the use of renewable energy at public school districts and nonprofit schools across the state. As part of the agreement, the project will receive free technical assistance from the New York Power Authority and is eligible for approximately $65,000 in incentives from the Governor's $1 billion NY-Sun initiative.

"This project is demonstrating how our collaborative, innovative approach to modernizing New York’s energy infrastructure is making a difference for New Yorkers," said Governor Cuomo. "Through the K-Solar program, the state is enabling schools to create greener communities and reduce energy bills by taking advantage of cost-effective solar power. As schools begin to realize the utility savings to be had through this program, they can begin to put those dollars back in the classroom where they belong."

To view a short video about the project at the New York Institute for Special Education, click here.

K-Solar provides registered public and private schools with free ongoing advisory services, solar site assessments and energy analysis, technical and administrative support and an expedited permitting process. Since it launched last year, school districts in 59 of the State’s 62 counties have registered with K-Solar. The initiative is a public-private partnership between the New York Power Authority and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in collaboration with competitively-selected private sector solar developers.

Lieutenant Governor Kathleen C. Hochul said, "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York is showing the nation and the world what is possible by taking historic actions to reduce emissions. Providing cost-effective access to solar energy at hundreds of schools is a major step forward, not only for educators, students and their parents, but also for communities across our great state. This will propel New York State to the forefront of the new green economy and bring the potential for thousands of new jobs."

K-Solar works in tandem with Community Solar NY, a program launched last year to encourage projects known as "Solarize" campaigns—community-organized efforts to gain a critical mass of area homes and businesses to install solar and share significant cost savings. Both programs are a part of Governor Cuomo’s $1 billion NY-Sun initiative to significantly expand the deployment of solar power statewide.

Schools interested in registering with K-Solar will pay no upfront costs for the installation of solar electric systems in return for signing an 18-year contract with a pre-qualified solar developer—either SunEdison or SolarCity, depending on the region--to buy the power that the solar panels generate. K-Solar guarantees that districts will pay below prevailing market rates over the term of the contract, providing greater certainty about their energy costs over an extended period. The program is expected to help schools save money, lower their carbon footprints, provide educational opportunities for their students and further the installation of solar energy in communities.

New York State Chairman of Energy and Finance Richard Kauffman said, "Scaling and building solar power in our schools creates a gateway for bringing solar into our communities more broadly. Once residents and business owners see the benefits of solar, they become much more likely to make the move themselves. The K-Solar program gives us an opportunity to start meeting Governor Cuomo's ambitious clean energy targets right away while also accelerating the process through rapid adoption elsewhere."

K-Solar is a core component of New York's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy and supports the Governor's requirement that New York State meet 50 percent of our electricity needs with renewable resources by 2030. The program also supports the goals of Governor Cuomo’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math learning initiatives by enhancing student awareness of energy efficient and renewable technologies, promoting student engagement in clean technology and increasing interest in career opportunities in the energy field. Registered schools receive solar technology curricula, clean-energy training for teachers and other educational materials.

New York Power Authority President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones said, "In less than a year, hundreds of districts have enthusiastically embraced the prospect of solar power as a viable energy choice for their schools. By using K-Solar, schools have a unique opportunity to leverage resources from NYPA to demonstrate the benefits of solar to their communities without making a significant capital investment for solar generating equipment. The result will help transform how New Yorkers think about and use electric power."

NYSERDA President and CEO John B. Rhodes said, "K-Solar offers a great lesson in how school districts can partner with the State to reduce reliance on the electric grid while teaching students about the benefits of renewable resources. The program directly supports the goals of REV by expanding electricity production at customer sites where it can take pressure off the grid and increase clean energy resources in the State."

New York State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said, "Having solar panels and other technologies associated with K-Solar in our schools provides an interactive learning experience with renewable energy. K-Solar helps to spark innovative problem-solving and provides teachers with the opportunity to teach concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to pique student interest in these critical subjects."

New York Institute for Special Education Executive Director Bernadette Kappen said, "K-Solar gives the Institute an opportunity to lower its carbon footprint and be a part of New York State's plan to increase clean energy sources while saving on costs. The solar curriculum will promote STEM-based learning for students with visual impairments and students with emotional disabilities. We are celebrating 185 years of providing educational programs and being selected to participate in this project is a highlight of this important year."

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj said, "I am proud of The New York Institute of Education for taking advantage of Governor's Cuomo's solar panel program. This sets a positive example of the progressive initiatives we need to take to continue to preserve our environment and reduce our carbon footprint. I am excited that this will forever be a learning tool for our youth and generations to come."

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said, "I want to thank the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and especially New York Institute of Special Education, who are the first school to sign on Governor Cuomo's K-Solar program. Not only is this program helping The Bronx and New York City become greener, but the education component of the K-Solar program also helps our future leaders and scientists jump to the forefront of this burgeoning technology."

About Reforming the Energy Vision
Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) is New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's strategy to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. REV places clean, locally produced power at the core of New York’s energy system which protects the environment and supports the State’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent while generating 50 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. Successful initiatives already launched as part of REV include NY Sun, NY Green Bank, NY Prize, K-Solar, and a includes a commitment to improve energy affordability for low-income communities. To learn more about REV, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY or follow us at @Rev4NY.