$5M for N.Y. solar 'brain center'

KINGSTON, N.Y., Sept. 24 (UPI) -- A proposed $35 million New York solar energy research center to produce $1 billion in solar power has received $5 million in seed money, officials said Monday.

The state's economic development agency said it would provide up to $1.5 million to attract solar companies to a public-private consortium's planned site at a former IBM Corp. plant in Kingston, N.Y.

The money supplements $3.5 million U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., secured for the Solar Energy Consortium for research and development last month, Hinchey said.

He predicted the project would "revolutionize the way we all live while helping to save the planet from global warning."

Business leaders, engineers, academics and lawmakers envision the center as the state's solar "brain center."

The non-profit center would pioneer solar technologies and help pick sites for solar companies to set up shop as the state aims to produce 2,000 megawatts, currently worth $1 billion -- enough to serve more than 600,000 average U.S. homes -- within a decade.

New York currently generates about 12 megawatts from the sun, consortium backers say.

The promoters estimate 300 to 500 jobs would be created in the local Hudson Valley region within three years and many more jobs statewide.