NYISO Announces New Solar Generation Record
Rensselaer, NY – The New York Independent System Operator today reported that New York set a new record for solar generation on Wednesday, June 3. During the Noon hour that day, a combination of behind-the-meter (BTM) solar and front-of-the-meter (FTM) solar generated 5,661 megawatts (MW). BTM solar accounted for 5,131 MW and FTM solar accounted for 530 MW.
Together, BTM and FTM solar provided approximately 29 percent of New York’s electricity demand during the Noon hour.
Rich Dewey, President and CEO of the New York Independent System Operator said, “This new record highlights the increasingly important role solar is playing on the grid. These low-cost resources help shave peak demand, reduce emissions, and underscore the need for an all-of-the-above approach to energy development during the grid in transition.”
Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority said, “New York continues to be a leader in the distributed solar market across the U.S., and this latest record reinforces the fact that solar is one of the most robust contributors to our state’s diverse energy mix – delivering affordable and reliable clean energy to our grid, including during times of high energy demand.”
Rory M. Christian, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Public Service Commission said, “As New York continues to navigate complex reliability and affordability challenges presented by ongoing forecasts of increased electricity demand and retirement of existing resources, all additional megawatts of clean, low-cost generation deserve to be celebrated. This announcement demonstrates critical momentum toward strengthening the state’s range of options to ensure the current and future grid remains as dependable as consumers expect it to be.”
Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Marguerite Wells said: “We saw last summer that during the heat wave, New Yorkers saved $90 million on a single day by utilizing solar rather than more expensive energy sources. The more solar we build, the more insulated our grid is from global instability and the wild price swings that come from importing fuel for our electricity. We will keep breaking these records, and the winners will not just be the advocates and state leaders making this transition possible, but all New Yorkers.”
The NYISO estimates BTM production by sampling data from thousands of solar installations throughout the state. The NYISO’s solar forecasting system uses these samples to estimate the impacts of BTM solar at look-ahead periods from 15 minutes to seven days. The solar forecasting system also uses high-quality meteorological measurements from the University at Albany’s Mesonet.
About the New York ISO
The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) is a not-for-profit corporation responsible for operating the bulk electricity grid, administering the competitive wholesale electricity markets, conducting comprehensive long-term planning, and advancing the technological infrastructure of the electric system serving the Empire State.