More than 70 solar installation and manufacturing professionals attended Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation’s Second Annual Solar Summit, held on February 1 at the utility’s Kingston area office in Lake Katrine. The event offered installers valuable information on the technical and procedural aspects of interconnecting solar electric systems with the utility grid, and provided networking opportunities for the region’s solar energy industry professionals.

Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, who chairs the New York State Assembly Committee on Energy, welcomed attendees and acknowledged their role in promoting renewable energy, developing green jobs and helping to make the Mid-Hudson Valley a center for solar development. 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; and local and statewide solar advocacy efforts by The Solar Energy Consortium and the New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA).

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

“Central Hudson’s annual Solar Summit has become a do-not-miss event for the Hudson Valley’s Solar Industry, said Ron Kamen, President of NYSEIA.

“The Mid Hudson Valley leads New York in the total number of solar installations, with Ulster County having the highest concentration in the state,” said James P. Laurito, President of Central Hudson. “This is due to a high level of interest in renewable energy by Hudson Valley residents, the commitment and professionalism of the region’s solar industry and our active net metering program,” he said.

“Central Hudson and solar installation professionals work together effectively to connect new solar generation systems to the electric delivery system, and the summit provided an opportunity share information as well as to provide local solar industry professionals the opportunity to learn of the resources available to them.”

As of the start of the year, 799 homes, businesses and municipalities within Central Hudson’s service area have installed solar electric systems, and an additional 157 systems are pending. Together, these represent nearly 9 megawatts of installed capacity, and offset greenhouse gas emissions by about 3,500 tons per year. These solar-electric systems are also net metered, which benefits owners when excess electricity generated by their systems is sent back through their meters onto the local electric grid.

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