NY Sun Commercial Industrial Incentive Grant Program

The NY Sun Commercial Industrial Incentive Program is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, a state agency responsible for advancing energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and clean energy innovation across New York. The program is part of the broader NY Sun initiative, which aims to expand solar energy deployment statewide and achieve ambitious capacity goals, including reaching ten gigawatts of installed solar by 2030. Funding for this initiative is derived from the Clean Energy Fund and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, with additional authorizations provided through multiple state orders to expand program capacity and funding availability. The primary purpose of this program is to provide financial incentives to support the installation of new grid connected solar photovoltaic systems in the Upstate New York region. Eligible systems must fall within a capacity range of seven hundred fifty kilowatts to seven point five megawatts direct current. The program is structured to accelerate commercial and industrial scale solar adoption, particularly through community solar initiatives such as the Statewide Solar for All program and the Inclusive Community Solar Adder framework. Incentives are designed to reduce upfront installation costs and encourage participation in equitable solar access programs. Funding is distributed on a first come, first served basis, and incentive levels are subject to change depending on remaining program funds and capacity block availability. The program incorporates a megawatt block structure, where incentives decline as capacity thresholds are met. Additional incentive adders may be available for projects that meet specific criteria, including affordable housing participation, beneficial siting such as brownfields or landfills, and compliance with prevailing wage requirements. For projects exceeding one megawatt alternating current that apply after specified dates, payment of prevailing wages for construction labor is a mandatory condition for receiving incentives. Eligibility for participation is limited to organizations that become approved participating contractors through NYSERDA. These contractors must demonstrate prior experience by submitting at least three verifiable solar project references completed within the past three years, totaling at least three megawatts of installed capacity. Contractors are responsible for preparing and submitting project applications, including all required documentation, through the NYSERDA online portal. Once approved, contractors may submit individual project applications for incentive funding. The application process requires two stages. First, organizations must apply to become participating contractors by completing a contractor application and agreeing to program terms and conditions. After approval, contractors submit project specific applications, which are reviewed by NYSERDA for completeness and compliance. Applications must be submitted through the official portal and cannot be submitted by email or fax. Incomplete or late submissions may be rejected, and applicants bear full responsibility for ensuring all required materials are included. The program operates on a rolling basis, with applications accepted continuously from May 4, 2015 through December 31, 2030, or until all funds are fully committed. There is no fixed award announcement cycle, as approvals occur on an ongoing basis following application review. Upon project completion, contractors submit final documentation and invoices, after which NYSERDA issues a single incentive payment upon approval. Questions regarding the program may be directed to the designated program email or specific contacts listed for contractual or technical inquiries. Overall, the NY Sun Commercial Industrial Incentive Program plays a central role in advancing New York State’s clean energy transition by supporting large scale solar installations, promoting equitable access to renewable energy, and incentivizing high quality project development through structured requirements and performance based funding mechanisms.

Ensure all required documentation is complete and submitted through the portal; incomplete or late applications may be rejected