PLATTSBURGH - A measure to promote expanded use of solar- and wind-powered electricity-generation systems has been approved by both legislative chambers in Albany.

Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) said the bill, which she co-sponsored, changes the current net-metering law to remove restrictions that prevented many non-residential customers from taking part.

Net metering allows those producing and using renewable energy to send excess electricity to their power company for a credit.

"This legislation will make the investment and deployment of clean-energy systems much more affordable," Little said. "New York state has ambitious energy-efficiency and -independence goals, and amending the net-metering law is an important step in helping us achieve these goals over the next decade."

The bill will be forwarded to Gov. David Paterson's office for final approval.
The law was amended in 2008 to allow non-residential customers to take part. But the amendment contained peak-load limitations that prevented the larger systems needed by many businesses,... [continue via Web link]