Making your business as energy efficient as possible by taking actions to unwaste is important, no matter what type of energy your  business uses. Modifying behaviors, making do-it-yourself improvements, and taking advantage of New York's many energy efficiency programs will help you get the most out of the energy you use. In addition, New York offers programs and incentives to homeowners and businesses interested in obtaining their energy from solar and other renewable sources. Take a look at the programs below.

General information about solar and renewable technologies:

• NYSERDA Solar Electric Systems and Thermal Technology

  www.getenergysmart.org/AdvancedTech/Solar.aspx

• NYSERDA Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems

  www.getenergysmart.org/AdvancedTech/Geothermal.aspx

• NY Power Authority

  www.nypa.gov/solar/default.htm
  www.nypa.gov/NYPAwindpower/default.htm

• U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

  www.eere.energy.gov/

Solar and renewable incentives available in New York State:

• New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA)

  • Solar PV Program Financial Incentives PON 2112 - NYSERDA provides cash incentives for the installation by Eligible Installers of new grid-connected Solar Electric or Photovoltaic (PV) systems that are 7kW or less for residential, 25kW or less for not-for-profit and 50 kW or less for commercial sites. Funding for the Solar Electric Incentive Program has been allocated by the New York State Renewable Portfolio Standard.
  • Solar Thermal Incentives PON 2149 - Incentives are available to residential (single and multifamily), commercial, and non-profit customers for new end-use Solar Thermal water heating system. You may be eligible to receive incentives to help fund the installation cost of Solar Thermal (ST) for the production of hot water to displace electrically heated hot water. Systems are capped at $4,000 per site/meter for residential systems and $25,000 per site/meter for nonresidential applications.
  • Customer-Sited Wind Turbine Incentive Program PON 2097 - NYSERDA announces the availability of approximately $3.2 million in incentives to encourage the installation of end-use wind energy systems for residential, commercial, institutional or government use. The incentives, of up to $400,000 per turbine, will be paid to Eligible Installers who install approved new grid-connected wind energy systems using qualified equipment.
  • Customer-Sited Tier Fuel Cell Program PON 2157 - Financial incentives are available to support the installation and operation of continuous duty fuel cell systems in New York State, with up to $1 million available for fuel cell systems rated larger than 25 kW and $50,000 available for fuel cell systems rated at 25 kW or less. Funding is on a first-come, first-served basis until December 31, 2015 at 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, or until all funding has been fully committed, whichever comes first.
  • Innovation in the Manufacturing of Clean Energy Technologies PON 2250 - NYSERDA invites proposals for projects that research, develop, demonstrate or commercialize innovative technologies that provide an energy benefit to a Clean Energy Technology manufacturing process in New York State.
  • Environmentally Preferred Power Systems Technologies PON 2244 - NYSERDA seeks proposals to develop and demonstrate innovative renewable and other environmentally preferred power technologies, or technologies that improve performance, power quality and reliability of power systems. All, or none, of the available funds may be allocated.
  • Renewable Portfolio Standard Customer-Sited Tier Regional Program PON 2156- NYSERDA invites proposals for the installation of customer-sited solar photovoltaic (PV) and renewable biogas fueled electric generation projects in NYISO Zones G, H, I and J. NYSERDA’s competitive selection will be based primarily on an Incentive Bid in $/kWh. Available funds for the program total $150 million for the period from 2011 through 2015. Up to $30 million in awards will be made per year; $5 million of which is to be awarded for projects to be installed in NYISO Zones G&H, and $25 million for projects to be installed in NYISO Zones I&J.

• New York State Power Authority (NYPA)

  • 100 MW Solar Initiative – As part of its commitment to the environment and in support of New York State’s clean energy goals, NYPA is exploring a public-private partnership for the installation of up to 100 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems across the state. The systems, including roof-mounted and ground-mounted PV arrays, will be located at municipal facilities, public and private schools and government facilities.