More than 70 solar installation and manufacturing professionals attended Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation’s Solar Summit, held recently at the utility’s Kingston area office. The event offered valuable information to installers on the procedural and technical aspects of interconnecting private electric solar systems with the utility grid, and provided networking opportunities for the region’s solar energy industry professionals.

Attendees also learned about financial incentives for solar installations by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority; economic development efforts to promote renewable energy by Ulster County; local and statewide solar advocacy efforts by The Solar Energy Consortium and the New York Solar Energy Industries Association; and initiatives by the New York Power Authority to develop 100 megawatts of solar generation in the state.

Participants and attendees included solar installers, manufacturers, economic development professionals, solar advocates and educators.

“The Mid Hudson Valley is recognized as having the largest concentration of solar installations in New York State, with Ulster County ranked highest,” said James P. Laurito, President of Central Hudson. “Central Hudson and solar installation professionals work together to connect new solar generation systems in the Hudson Valley, and this event provided an opportunity to reinforce that relationship as well as to allow local solar professionals to learn of resources available to them.”

To date, 731 homes, businesses and municipalities within Central Hudson’s service area have installed solar electric systems, with 144 systems pending. Together, these represent more than 7 megawatts of installed capacity, and would offset greenhouse gas emissions by about 4,500 tons per year.

These systems are also net metered, which provides benefits to solar users when electricity is sent back through their meter onto the local electric grid.

“Central Hudson should be commended for its active role in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Hudson Valley,” said solar installer and attendee Randall Kelsey of Kirchoff Green Energy. “Events like the Solar Summit allow installers, manufacturers, government agencies, local advocacy groups and Central Hudson to meet, interact and engage in useful dialogue.”

“Central Hudson has always been a leader in New York when it comes to solar energy,” said Ron Kamen, President of the New York Solar Energy Industries Association, and also of Earthkind Solar.  “With their on going support and that of industry leaders, government officials and local residents, our region plays an important role in solar installations, manufacturing and ancillary jobs.”

Learn more about renewable energy, net metering and energy efficiency programs at www.CentralHudson.com.

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