Power...Naturally^SM Document Library

The Library is a repository for NYSERDA documents (titles displayed in green) and documents prepared by various related organizations.

Renewable Energy

General Renewable Energy

Wind/solar presentation for Association of Towns* (February 2005) (1.6MB .pdf)
Details about the real property tax exemption for qualified renewable energy systems

End-Use Renewables Market Characterization, Market Assessment and Causality Evaluation Report

Connecting to the Grid

Connecting to the Grid: A Guide to Distributed Generation Interconnection Issues
This online guide, produced by the North Carolina Solar Center, outlines the issues to be considered before connecting an energy system to the power grid. Contained in this guide are discussions on such matters as legal and safety issues.

IREC - Net Metering Agreement Model
Produced by the North Carolina Solar Center, this net metering model outlines the basic facts that an individual should be aware of before entering into an agreement with a power company, as well as the rights provided by law to that individual.

NYS Energy and Production Act
This act protects the right of the individual to install an alternative energy system on private property.

Staying off the Grid

Off-Grid PV Systems
Created by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, the Off-Grid PV Systems factsheet outlines the considerations for building a PV system off the power grid, and includes a list of equipment required for installation of the system as well as cost and safety issues.

Battery Power for Your Residential Solar Electric System
Produced for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, this guide contains information about the usage of battery systems in conjunction with a solar electric system, and provides facts on such items as the size and cost of different battery systems as well as the type of system required in a particular location. Also included are useful tips to consider when purchasing batteries.

Solar Electric (PV)

General PV Information

Clean Power Estimator* The Clean Power Estimator tool, sponsored by NYSERDA, estimates the benefits and costs associated with photovoltaic (PV) energy. To calculate costs and savings, simply enter customer type (commercial, residential, etc.) and zip code. This is a useful tool for those interested in the installation of a PV system.

Detailed Guide to Purchasing a Solar Electric System*
This consumer guide, sponsored by NYSERDA, provides detailed information on every aspect of a photovoltaic (PV) system, from purchasing a system to maintaining one. The guide also contains information about various PV system vendors and installers.

New York State is Making Solar Energy for Your Home More Affordable*
This NYSERDA online guide describes the environmental benefits of a photovoltaic (PV) system and economic incentives available from NYSERDA for New Yorkers when they choose PV for their homes.

Solar Electric System Introductory Brochure*
This NYSERDA brochure provides answers to such questions as: What is PV? How much do systems cost? What are the benefits? How much can you save? This is a good general resource to anybody looking into a photovoltaic (PV) system.

The Solar Electric System Poster*
This NYSERDA-sponsored poster shows how photovoltaics (PV) can be used in a residential home. The poster also provides information about the Clean Power Estimator and cash incentives available for homeowners to give a good idea about system costs and savings.

Getting the most out of School Power...Naturally -- Solar Education for New York and Beyond*
This paper explains NYSERDA’s solar education and demonstration initiative, and provides help and ideas for those wishing to start a solar education program in their region.

Renewable Energy Installers in New York State*

New York Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Residential Energy Systems Equipment

Exploring the Economic Value of the EPAct 2005 PV Tax Credits
This study completed by the Lawrence Berkley Laboratory and the Clean Energy States Alliance, is an analysis of the effect of PV tax credits, the consideration for whether the system is for residential or commercial use, system size, the tax status of the system owner, whether or not the IRS considers grants made by state and utility PV programs to be taxable income, and whether state and utility PV incentive programs move to capture some of the value of EPAct's credits by reducing grant size.

The Borrowers Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems
This online booklet, provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, contains useful information about the federal programs that offer financial help to those who install a solar water heating system. This booklet also offers information that can be useful to lending institutions that provide loans to help consumers with installation and purchasing costs.

Consumer's Guide: Get Your Power from the Sun
This National Renewable Energy Laboratory online booklet provides general information about photovoltaic (PV) systems and the different types of systems, as well as the type of system suitable to a particular area. This resource is useful for anyone who is considering purchasing a PV system for residential use.

How to Size a Grid-Connected Solar Energy System
This online guide, provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, provides information to help you determine what size PV system is suitable for you.

NYS Energy Products Warranty Act
This law basically outlines the rights of the consumer when purchasing a renewable energy system. It is designed to promote the use of alternative energy resources in New York State.

Training and Certifying a PV Workforce (republished courtesy of SOLAR TODAY)

Designing For Uninterruptible Power: Opportunities for Battery-Based Photovoltaic Systems

New York Solar Energy Industries Association Quarterly Newsletter January 2006

PV Systems for Agriculture

An introductory guide to typical farm applications for a variety of solar technologies*

Guide to Solar-Powered Water Pumping Systems in New York State*
The purpose of this NYSERDA guide is to provide New York State farmers and landowners with information on planning and installing solar-powered water pumping systems. Because every location has different needs and resources, this guide provides the general principles required to make an informed decision on whether or not a solar pump is right for your operation.

Electricity When and Where You Need It from the Sun: Photovoltaics for Farms and Ranches
An online booklet produced by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that outlines the different uses of a photovoltaic (PV) system on a farm, and describes the different types of systems that could be used depending on the job to be done. For those thinking about implementing such a system, the booklet includes a list of additional resources.
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PV Systems for Livestock Water Pumping
This U.S. Department of Agriculture report explains the findings of a research project of a rural Nebraskan community that studied the feasibility of implementing a photovoltaic (PV) system for use in pumping water for livestock, and the points to be considered when installing such a system. The study focused on a local power authority that purchased the equipment and then rented it out to farmers who wished to convert their water pumping systems to solar power.

Solar Water Heating Systems

Consumer's Guide: Heat Your Water with the Sun
The U.S. Department of Energy published this 20-page guide on solar heating for your home or pool.

Freeze Protection for Solar Heating Systems
.In the winter months, a container holding water requires protection from the elements. Solar water heating systems are no different. This factsheet provides solutions to this "freezing problem," i.e., adding anti-freeze to the pipes, and additional useful information.

Heating Your Swimming Pool with Solar Thermal Energy
This National Renewable Energy Laboratory fact sheet provides detailed information about how to install a solar system for heating water in a pool, the size of the system and pump needed, and how to determine the placement for such a system. For the inquisitive mind, this sheet also shows exactly how a solar heating system works.

The Borrowers' Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems
This borrowers' guide, produced by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, contains information about the financial assistance available through federal programs to those who install a solar water heating system. This guide also offers information that can be useful to lending institutions that provide loans to help consumers with installation and purchasing costs.

Wind Energy

General Wind

2008 KidWind Workshop

2005 KidWind Workshop

Wind Energy Air Emission Reduction Benefits
This report provides a summary of the impact of wind energy development on various air pollutants. The core document addresses the key facts relating to the analysis of emission reductions from wind energy development. It is intended for use by a wide variety of parties with an interest in this issue, ranging from state environmental officials to renewable energy stakeholders. It was prepared for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) by D. J. Consulting LLC, and Resource Systems Group Inc.

Large Wind Energy Applications

Wind Energy Toolkit: Community Resources for Wind Development*
This toolkit provides information on all aspects of wind energy development, and will help communities prepare for wind development. The reports and documents in this toolkit are intended to provide objective information necessary for everyone concerned with wind development in a community – from the farmer or landowner who want to lease their land -- to the local officials charged with zoning, planning and permitting -- to interested members of the public. The toolkit contains information about the process for siting wind energy facilities in municipalities within the state of New York, and includes all the considerations that go into the decision-making effort.

Using Wind Power to Hedge Volatile Electricity Prices for Commercial and Industrial Customers in New York. Executive Summary (94kb.pdf) Complete (577kb.pdf)

Wind Turbine Sounds and Health Effects:  An Expert Panel Review
This report on the effects of sound produced by wind turbines on human health was prepared by a multidisciplinary panel comprised of medical doctors, audiologists, and acoustical professionals from the United States, Canada, Denmark, and the United Kingdom

Large-Scale Wind Projects*
This document is one of a series of reports and guides that are all part of the NYSERDA Wind Energy Toolkit. It contains the answers to questions on many aspects of large-scale wind projects including: technology, socioeconomic impacts, environmental impacts, safety, site exploration, land control and landowner information, permitting, construction, electricity, economics, and incentives.

Guide to Wind Site Development* (3.21MB .pdf)

Wind Integration Study*
This study, prepared for NYSERDA by General Electric International, Inc., evaluates the reliability implications of increased wind penetration in New York State. Study appendices are also available.

Presentation by Peter Smith to Adirondack Park Agency* (April 2005) (2MB .pdf)

Wind Presentation - large wind* (January 2005) (1MB .pdf)

Community Wind Financing: A Handbook by the Environmental Law and Policy Center
There have been numerous publications and conferences on community wind development, but less specific attention on options for project structuring and financing. The goal of this handbook is to identify critical financing issues, and present several possible financing models that reflect the differing financial positions and investment goals of various project owners/developers. The handbook includes six sections:

1. Section I describes various models for community wind power ownership.
2. Section II examines sources of equity and debt financing and the steps necessary to secure this financing.
3. Section III identifies federal grant and loan programs and state incentives for wind power development.
4. Section IV reviews the federal tax incentives supporting wind power projects, the impact of these incentives on project economics, and limitations on utilizing these incentives.
5. Section V examines power purchase agreements and the value of green tags to community wind power projects.
6. The Appendix contains a list of operating community wind projects in the United States and a list of project consultants and financing resources.
   

Considerations for Site Plan Approval of a Windmill
This one-page document, prepared by the Cornell Cooperative Extension, can be used by municipalities as a guide when considering the site plan approval of a windmill.

Wind Power for Farms
This booklet, produced by Green Energy Ohio, provides information about wind farms from the landowners' perspective. It also includes steps to follow to build a wind farm and the benefits of doing so, how to attract developers, case studies, and general information.

The Environmental Case for Wind Power in New Jersey
A spring 2005 report by the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG), makes a comparison between wind energy and New Jersey’s energy sources. The report makes several recommendations for an environmental permitting process for wind development on land that could also be relevant to offshore development.

.Wind Development in New York State by County
This map shows the number of projects and capacity of wind development in New York on a county-by-county basis. Data for this map is based on projects that have applied to the New York Independent System Operator to interconnect to the electric utility grid.

On-Site (or Small) Wind Applications

Map of NYSERDA-Sponsored End-Use Wind Installations as of December 7, 2007*

The Power of Wind - Using Wind to Power Your Home, Farm, Building,
or Business* (pdf)

FAQs for Small-Scale Wind Energy Systems -- Using Wind to Power Your Home or Business*
This document answers commonly-asked questions about small wind systems including questions on whether wind energy is practical for you, how to choose a site, is there enough energy, obtaining a permit, and more.

2006 AWEA Small Wind Permitting PresentationWind Presentation - small wind* (January 2006) (931KB .pdf)

Renewable Energy Installers in New York State: A Guide for the Insurance Industry

Lessons Learned from the Photovoltaic Industry
This presentation NREL and Washington State University at the 2006 WindPower conference investigates lessons learned in the photovoltaics industry and applies them to the small wind industry.

Consumers Guide: Small Wind Electric Systems
This online guide was produced by the U.S. Department of Energy. It provides the basic facts about wind-energy systems, from installation to maintenance, and includes tips about wind resources in specific areas of the county. It is useful for anyone who is still in the consideration stages of the process.

Model Small-Scale Wind Zoning Ordinance
This sample zoning ordinance, prepared by AWS Truewind, can be useful to municipalities considering adopting a zoning ordinance for small wind systems.

Small Wind Net Metering Law (pdf)
This law provides for net metering of small-wind systems for residences and farms.

Noise Tests of Small Wind Turbines
This highly-technical paper, produced by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, measures the acoustic emissions of eight small wind turbines ranging from 400 watts to 100kW.

Permitting Small Wind Turbines:  A Handbook Learning from the California Experience
This handbook, produced by the American Wind Energy Association's Small Wind Advocate, and provided by the California Energy Commission, includes information to be considered when planning the installation of a small wind energy system. Items covered include some of the differences and the advantages that a small residential system has over a larger, commercial system.

Apples and Oranges 2002-Choosing a Home-Sized Wind Generator
This article, written by Mick Sagrillo for Home Power Magazine, provides information that will help you choose the wind generator that is right for you.

Data from Small Wind Turbines in New York
These documents provide performance data on several small wind turbines located in New York.

Weimann Farm July 1 - October 30, 2004* (pdf)

Olde Chautauqua Farm April 1 - June 30, 2004* (pdf)

Apple Pond Farm* (pdf)

Wind Turbine Buyer's Guide
The “Wind Turbine Buyer’s Guide” by Mick Sagrillo and Ian Woofenden, an article published in “Home Power Magazine,” covers small wind system components, wind turbine basics, and the specs required for various small wind turbines.

Wind Energy Projects in New York State

Maple Ridge Wind Farm (formerly Flat Rock) - Environmental Impact Statement

• Radar and Visual Study of Nocturnal Bird and Bat Migration, 2004
• Appendix S - Supplemental Avian Data
• Phase I Avian Risk Assessment
• Addendum to the Phase I Avian Risk Assessment
• Addendum II to the Phase I Avian Risk Assessment
• Breeding Bird Survey
  

WindFarm Prattsburgh - Final Scope

Madison Windpower Project in Madison County - Final Report

Photos
A photo gallery featuring NYSERDA renewable, R&D, and indigenous energy projects.

Biomass Resources

Guide for Siting Small-Scale Biomass Projects in New York State* (1.37mb .pdf)

Evaluating Potential Biodiesel Manufacturing Sites in New York State* (2.87mb .pdf)

Feasibility Study For a Potential NYS Biodiesel Industry* (pdf)

Commercialization of Corn to Ethanol in New York State Final Report* (790kb .pdf)

Executive Summary: Wool Scouring (washing)* (pdf)

To further improve New York's biomass supply, the Salix Consortium was formed to enhance New York State's ability to produce biomass on a large scale. Approximately 500 acres of fast-growing willow are currently in production in New York State. For additional information visit: Biomass: Bioenergy, Biofuels & Bioproducts.

More Information Low-Cost BioHeating Oil Application
A report by Brookhaven National Laboratory

Biodiesel Blends in Space Heating Equipment
A report by Brookhaven National Laboratory

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide to Extract Vegetable Oil or to Produce Biodiesel
A report by Syracuse University

Woody Biomass Gasification, a Feasibility Assessment for a 5 Megawatt System
A report by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

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