New York Breaks Solar Generation Record

pcmag.com:

For one hour last week, New York generated roughly 20% of its electricity from solar power, setting a new record for the state.

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), which manages the state's electrical grid, revealed(Opens in a new window) that a combination of residential and commercial installations generated 3,330 megawatts of electricity between noon and 1 p.m. on May 18.

If one megawatt can power between 800 and 1,000 homes, last week's record high provided enough electricity for upwards of 3.3 million New York buildings.

"It's clear that solar energy generation is an important part of New York's energy future," according to NYISO President and CEO Rich Dewey. "This new record is reflective of growing investments and the innovative design of our markets."

Energy generation on personal property—via solar panels, small wind turbines, even gas-powered generators—is what's known as behind-the-meter (BTM), while anything that happens on the grid side is deemed front-of-the-meter (FTM). In New York's case, BTM accounted for a vast majority (3,200 MW) of the 3,330 spike, while FTM made up the last 130 MW.

"New York is one of the most robust solar markets in the US," Doreen M. Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, said in a statement. "This new record means we're making solar energy more accessible to families and businesses while moving the state closer to meeting its Climate Act mandates."

The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act was signed into law in 2019, with the goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Already, about 60% of the state's electricity is produced by carbon-free sources(Opens in a new window); New York aims to make that 100%