Study: Increasing New York’s solar + storage goals could save state $1 billion

Albany, New York ,January 15, 2026 Based to a recent independent analysis, raising New York's distributed solar and energy storage targets to 20 gigawatts (GW)-including both solar photovoltaic capacity and paired energy storage systems could reduce the state's reliance on gas-fired generation and increase reliability while saving the state about $1 billion in energy costs annually by 2035.

The long-term advantages of accelerated clean energy deployment throughout the state's electrical system are measured in the report "Sunlight into Savings: Evaluating Energy Cost Savings from Distributed Solar and Storage Additions in New York," which was written by Synapse Energy Economics for the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA).

According to the report, home consumers throughout the state would save a substantial amount of money if solar and storage were expanded to 20 GW of distributed capacity, up from more than 7.3 GW now installed and another 2.8 GW under construction.

Downstate consumers might save roughly $46 annually on electricity rates, while average households in upstate New York would save roughly $87 annually and by 2024, the increased usage of renewable energy might help reduce exposure to unstable fuel markets by avoiding about 11% of the natural gas needed to generate power.

Assemblymember Didi Barrett, who chairs the Assembly Energy Committee, is a strong advocate for advancing solar and storage objectives. Barrett presented the Accelerate Solar for Affordable Power (ASAP) Act, a piece of legislation intended to expedite permitting and increase distributed solar deployment.

GreenLeaf Solar + Storage, a renewable energy company based in New York that specializes on community solar and energy storage integrations, is one project developer making noticeable strides in this area. GreenLeaf has completed more than 150 MW of solar-plus-storage projects in the state over the last five years, assisting commercial clients, municipalities, and cooperatives in lowering peak demand fees and stabilizing regional systems.

The study's conclusions are released at a critical juncture when New York legislators are debating legislative and regulatory approaches to achieve long-term objectives related to energy attordability and climate change. In addition to promoting greener electricity, raising distributed solar and storage ambitions to 20 GW by 2035 would directly help locals and companies financially.