SYRACUSE - The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that 15 New York individuals and businesses will receive more than $1.6 million in grants for renewable energy and energy efficiency systems.

The New York projects are part of a national renewable energy and energy efficiency funding package. More than 600 projects in 46 states and the Virgin Islands received awards.

Hudson Valley and Catskills recipients include:.

• Douglas Ackerman, Cochecton, Sullivan County, $47,498 for a 25-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to generate renewable electricity for a dairy farm.
• Stefen Gieger, Jeffersonville, Sullivan County, $47,498 for a 25-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to generate renewable electricity for a dairy farm.
• Wilfred R. Hughson, Jeffersonville, Sullivan County, $47,498 for a 25-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to generate renewable electricity for a dairy farm.
• Robert Kays, Callicoon, Sullivan County, $47,498 for a 25-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to generate renewable electricity for a dairy farm. 
• Ronnybrook Farm Dairy, Inc., Ancramdale, Columbia County, $30,861 for a solar water heating system to preheat water for processing milk.
• F. Russell "Skip" Veeder, Earlton, Greene County, $23,037 for a 20-kilowatt wind turbine to generate renewable electricity on a Christmas tree farm.
• William V. Diehl, Callicoon, Sullivan County, $20,044 for a 10-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system to generate renewable electricity for a beef operation.
• Joseph Horak, Livingston Manor, Sullivan County, $16,422 for a 6.48 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on a beef farm.
• Mark Adams Greenhouses, Inc., Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, $8,854 for a thermal curtain to reduce heat loss.