Solicitations for Large-Scale Renewables
The Large-Scale Renewables portfolio is in a period of transition with updates to our website expected in early 2024. In the meantime, please check Open NY 
for the latest project information.
2023 RES Solicitation for Tier 1 RECs
NYSERDA launched the seventh annual Renewable Energy Standard (RES) request for proposals, RESRFP23-1, to continue accelerating progress toward Governor Hochul’s target of generating 70 percent of New York State’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Through the 2023 solicitation, NYSERDA seeks to procure Tier 1 eligible Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from eligible facilities that enter commercial operation on or after January 1, 2015, and on or before May 31, 2026, unless extended to May 31, 2029.
RESRFP23-1 is implemented through a two-step process, consisting of:
- Step One Eligibility Application: A qualifying step through which the proposer must provide evidence that the Bid Facility is Tier 1 eligible and other general information about the Proposer and the Bid Facility. All Step One Eligibility Applications must be submitted via the RESRFP23-1 solicitation website and were due on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
- Step Two Bid Proposal: A competitive Bid Proposal step, through which NYSERDA will:
- Examine Bid Proposals to determine whether they demonstrate that the Bid Facility and Proposer meet the Minimum Threshold Requirements; and
- For Bid Proposals that meet those Minimum Threshold Requirements, perform a competitive evaluation based on price and non-price factors.
Step Two Bid Proposals were due on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
RESRFP23-1 Step Two Bid Proposal Response
Following the release of the Governor’s 10-Point Action Plan, NYSERDA has garnered significant competitive interest in its seventh and expedited Tier 1 solicitation (RESRFP23-1) which closed on January 31, just two months after its launch. NYSERDA received bids from 20 developers for 57 projects, comprising five gigawatts (GW) of capacity. In total, 51 of the 57 projects submitted for the Step Two evaluation process are projects that were previously awarded NYSERDA Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) contracts and terminated their contracts to participate in this solicitation. NYSERDA is evaluating the bids and expects to make public versions of the bids available on NYSERDA’s website in the near future and to announce conditional awards in April.
Access the RESRFP23-1 Step Two Bid Proposal Map
To view a project proposal:
- Select an icon (sun, wind) to display a proposed project.
- Select the hyperlinks under the “Link to Project Description" or "Link to Community Engagement Plan” displayed below the map to access an individual project’s summary and community engagement plan.
RESRFP23-1 Proposers’ Webinar
NYSERDA hosted a webinar on this RFP and the submittal process for potential proposers on Thursday, December 7, 2023. The webinar slides can be found here [PDF].
RESRFP23-1 Smart Solar Siting Scorecard Informational Webinar
NYSERDA hosted a webinar on the requirements for Appendix 2. Smart Solar Siting Scorecard for RESRFP23-1 on Monday, December 18, 2023. The webinar slides can be found here [PDF].
Associated Documents
- RESRFP23-1 Request for Proposals
- Appendix 1. Resource Assessment and Energy Production Estimate Requirements
- Appendix 2. RESRFP23-1 Smart Solar Siting Scorecard
- Appendix 2. Exhibit 1. Smart Solar Siting Scorecard Workbook
- Appendix 2. Exhibit 2. Scorecard Acronyms and Definitions
- Appendix 2. Exhibit 3. Scorecard Resources
- Attachment A. RESRFP23-1 Standard Form Agreement and Exhibits
- Attachment B. Public Release of Bid Facility Information
- Attachment C. Step One Submission Instructions
- Attachment D. Bid Data Form
- Attachment E. P[50] 8760 Template
- Attachment F. Minimum Thresholds Narrative
- Attachment G. Agricultural Mitigation Estimate Calculator
- Attachment H. Agricultural Mitigation Payment Deferral Request Form
- Attachment I. Mutual Termination Agreement
2023 RES Solicitation Request for Information (RESRFI23-1)
Interested stakeholders were invited to review and comment on proposed updates and modifications to the 2023 Tier 1 solicitation (RESRFP23-1) under this Request for Information (RFI). This feedback is assisting NYSERDA in finalizing the solicitation prior to its release.
The RFI document is linked below.
2023 Large-Scale Renewables Capacity Accreditation Request for Information (LSRRFI23-1)
Under this Request for Information (RFI), NYSERDA sought external stakeholder review and comment on NYSERDA’s proposed modifications to existing and future Index REC and Index OREC contracts to account for revisions to the Market Administration and Control Area Services Tariff proposed by the New York Independent System Operator, Inc. and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to adopt a marginal capacity accreditation market design. This feedback has assisted NYSERDA in finalizing its proposed approach in consultation with the Department of Public Service.
The RFI document is linked below.
Recent Solicitations
Information on the most recent RES solicitations is available here:
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.
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
These resources can help inform proposers’ decisions regarding project siting for future solicitations.
Disadvantaged Communities
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 . This interactive map identifies areas throughout the State that meet the final criteria identified for a disadvantaged community as defined by New York State at the time of the 2023 Tier 1 solicitation, RESRFP23-1.
Final Disadvantaged Communities Interactive Map Tool
Agricultural Mitigation Resources
In order to facilitate the protection of agricultural lands in the state’s Agricultural Districts, Proposers awarded under RESRFP23-1 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.
An interactive map of statewide MSG 1-4 and downloadable files containing the same MSG 1-4 data are available at the link below for the use of Proposers and other interested parties.
NYSERDA 2023 Soils Data for use in the Large-Scale Renewables and NY-Sun Programs
Downloadable files by REDC region:
- Capital Region [zip]
- Central New York [zip]
- Finger Lakes [zip]
- Long Island [zip]
- Mid-Hudson Valley [zip]
- Mohawk Valley [zip]
- North Country [zip]
- Southern Tier [zip]
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 Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act [PDF] 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 Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act). 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-0197 or access the studies below.
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Initial Report on the New York Power Grid Study
and Appendices A-E (January 2021) -
Utility Transmission and Distribution Investment Working Group Report (November 2020)
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NYISO 2021-2040 System & Resource Outlook (September 2022) [PDF]
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DPS Staff Straw Proposal for Conducting Headroom Assessments
Energy Storage Resources
NYSERDA encourages proposers to use these resources to inform decisions regarding projects with energy storage for future solicitations.
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NYSERDA Bulk Storage Incentive Program Manual [PDF] – Section VII. Measurement and Verification and Section IX. Technical and Other Requirements
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The State of Storage: Energy Storage Resources in New York’s Wholesale Electricity Markets
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Intermittent Power Resources: Frequently Asked Questions
[PDF]
Economic Benefits
Guidance Documents related to Incremental Economic Benefits Reporting Standards and AUPR.
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Incremental Economic Benefits Reporting Standards and Agreed Upon Procedures Report [PDF]