New York launches huge solar effort

ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 29 (UPI) -- New York state embarked on its largest green energy effort to date with a program that quintuples the amount of solar power used, the governor said.

Democratic Gov. David Paterson announced a plan to install up to 100 megawatts of photovoltaic systems across the state using roof-mounted and ground solar arrays.

The plan, part of Paterson's effort to get 45 percent of the state's energy through renewable resources by 2015, aims to boost state solar capacity 500 percent and power 15,000 homes. The effort would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 45,000 tons per year.

"The New York Power Authority's advancement of this, the largest solar initiative in state history, aligns with the state energy plan's direction to increase in-state energy supplies," said Paterson.

Paterson's office described the so-called 45 by 15 program as one of the most aggressive renewable energy initiatives in the United States. Installation of the solar arrays begins in 2010 and runs through 2014.

"A sustainable future for New York requires bold initiatives which will increase the deployment of clean energy," Paterson added.