The Solar Energy Consortium, of Kingston, N.Y., will collaborate with Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Clarkson University, Binghamton University and the State University of New York at New Paltz in a partnership that will foster New York's solar industry and help save the planet from global warming, said Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y.

"Solar manufacturing companies will now have access to the brightest research minds in the country to assist in solving technology-based problems that are preventing them from introducing their new technologies and products," Hinchey said.

Applying the university research will "drive down the cost, up the efficiency, simplify the installation and create the (photovoltaic solar power technology) forms best suited for urban environments," consortium Chief Executive Officer Vincent Cozzolino said.

Business leaders, engineers, academics and lawmakers envision the center at a former IBM Corp. plant as the state's solar "brain center" and the nation's "pre-eminent solar-technology voice."

The consortium will create an estimated 300 to 500 jobs in the immediate Hudson Valley region in its initial phase and thousands more jobs in the next several years, Hinchey said.