By 2030, Governor Cuomo has called for 70% of all electricity consumed in New York State to be generated by renewable sources. New York’s Clean Energy Standard (CES) is designed to fight climate change, and ensure diverse and reliable low carbon energy supply. This extremely aggressive timeline and the state’s commitment to achieving these goals has resulted in a rapidly changing and dynamic market heavily focused on the development of wind and solar distributed generation.

Developers and energy companies, both public and private are undertaking projects and looking for new development opportunities across New York State. For you as a New York consumer, this presents a number of opportunities to “Go Green” and potentially save money at the same time you are reducing your carbon footprint. But with the numerous companies and options in the market today, what is the best option for you? You don’t need to be a sustainability expert, let Chautauqua Energy find the best options available to suit your needs. Whether it’s community solar, electric supply from renewable resources, purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or a combination of these options, we will work with our energy company partners on your behalf to develop the right package for you.

COMMON RENEWABLE ENERGY TERMS

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon Dioxide is a common gas created when fossil fuels are burned. It is the main source of global warming gas emissions, and a key reason to switch to alternative energy sources that do not create CO2 gas.
Community Solar Project
A large, central solar power plant, whose electricity is shared by more than a single property. While the size of a residential solar installation is measured in kilowatts, community solar projects are measured in megawatts, meaning that a single community solar project can power hundreds or even thousands of homes.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gases are gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), that contribute to the "greenhouse effect" in the earth's atmosphere.
Net Metering
An arrangement that permits an electrical utility customer to turn their electric meter backwards and sell any excess power generated (over and above their usage requirement) back to the grid to offset some, to all of their consumption. Depending on individual state or utility rules, the net excess generation may be credited to their account (in many cases at the retail price), carried over to a future billing period, or ignored.
Renewable Energy
An energy source that renews itself without effort. Fossil fuels, once consumed, are gone forever, while solar energy is renewable in that the sun energy we harvest today has no effect on the sun energy we can harvest tomorrow.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
A market-based instrument that certifies the bearer owns one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity generated from a renewable energy resource.
Solar Power
The power (electricity) generated from the suns solar energy.
Wind Energy
The energy caused by the earth's weather patterns creating high and low pressure centers forcing wind to rush from high to low pressure