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Solicitations for Large-Scale Renewables

 

2026 RES Solicitation for Tier 1 RECs

NYSERDA has released the tenth annual Renewable Energy Standard (RES) request for proposals (RESRFP26-1). RESRFP26-1 was issued on April 24, 2026 to advance clean energy deployments while prioritizing reliability, affordability, and a healthier future for New Yorkers. Through the 2026 solicitation, NYSERDA seeks to procure Tier 1-eligible Renewable Energy Certificates from facilities with a viable path to entering commercial operation in the near future.

RESRFP26-1 will be implemented through a two-step process, consisting of:

Step One Eligibility Application: A qualifying step through which the proposer provides evidence that the Bid Facility is Tier 1 eligible and other general information about the Proposer and the Bid Facility.

Step Two Bid Proposal: A competitive Bid Proposal step, through which NYSERDA:

To start and submit a Step One Eligibility Application, proposers are required to register on the solicitation website Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page.. All Step One Eligibility Applications must be submitted via the solicitation website and are due on Tuesday, May 19th by 3:00 p.m. EDT. Step Two Bid Proposal Non-Price submissions are due on Thursday, June 25th at 3:00 p.m. EDT, and Step Two Bid Proposal Price submissions are due on Thursday, July 30th at 3:00 p.m. EDT. Proposers are expected to be notified of initial awards by September 2026.

RESRFP26-1 Proposers’ Webinar

NYSERDA hosted a webinar on this RFP and the submittal process for potential proposers on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Download the RESRFP26-1 Proposers’ Webinar slides [PDF].

Associated Documents

Previous Solicitations

Aggregate RES and Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) information is available on the Filings, Orders, and Reports webpage and the Large-Scale Renewables Open NY database Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page..

NYSERDA continues to work actively with communities hosting awarded renewable projects to ensure they have the tools they need to make informed decisions regarding project development.

For more information on renewable energy development and education, please contact [email protected] and consult the Renewable Energy Standard solicitation FAQs [PDF] and clean energy siting for local governments resources.

Project Siting and Permitting Resources

The resources below can help inform proposers’ decisions regarding project siting for future solicitations.

Disadvantaged Communities Resources

The Climate Act directs the Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG) to establish criteria for defining Disadvantaged Communities. On March 27, 2023, the CJWG voted to finalize Disadvantaged Communities criteria. Additional resources for identifying Disadvantaged Communities are located on the New York Climate Act website Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page.. This interactive map identifies areas throughout the State that meet the final criteria identified for a disadvantaged community.

Final Disadvantaged Communities Interactive Map Tool Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page.

Agricultural Mitigation Resources

To facilitate the protection of agricultural lands in the state’s Agricultural Districts, proposers awarded under RESRFP24-1 may be responsible for making an agricultural mitigation payment to a designated fund based on the extent to which the solar project footprint overlaps with New York’s highest quality agricultural soils, identified as Mineral Soil Groups classifications 1 through 4 (MSG 1-4). This mitigation approach intends to set a benchmark for potential agricultural mitigation payments, which solar project developers may be able to reduce by minimizing the facility’s impact on MSG 1-4 and/or introducing or retaining agricultural productivity on the project site. Instances where proposers cannot avoid or minimize impacts on MSG 1-4 will result in a payment to a fund administered by NYSERDA in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Markets to support ongoing regional agricultural practices.

Proposers can review data and an interactive map of statewide MSG 1-4 for reference.

Operational Flexibility and Grid Resources

The following NYSERDA, DPS, and NYISO studies and stakeholder proceedings are encouraged for use to inform proposers’ due diligence. Proposers should note that these resources are subject to additional updates and may be amended by other applicable studies and/or updated assessments and public data.

In 2020, New York State passed the [PDF]Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act  to accelerate progress towards the State’s nation-leading clean energy goals. The Act instructed the State to conduct a Power Grid Study to inform transmission system investments that will be necessary to achieve the clean energy goals of the Climate Act Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page.. The Power Grid Study is comprised of three component studies: 1) a joint utilities study on local transmission and distribution needs; 2) an offshore wind study of bulk-power transmission needs; and 3) a statewide transmission analysis to achieve the Climate Act goals. To read the studies, review public comments, and engage in the public process, visit the Department of Public Service Matter Master 20-00905/20-E-0197Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page. or access the studies below.

Energy Storage Resources

NYSERDA encourages proposers to use these resources to inform decisions regarding projects with energy storage for future solicitations.

Economic Benefit Resources

Documents can be found on the Incremental Economic Benefits Reporting page. 

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