Kingston – Empire State Development, New York’s economic development arm, Monday announced its commitment to provide up to $1.5 million in support of solar-related companies. The money will be available directly to companies that relocate to the Hudson Valley.

ESD will seek input from The Solar Energy Consortium, a public-private partnership designed to foster solar energy research and production in the state.

“The success of The Solar Energy Consortium promises to change not only the Hudson Valley, but the very face of the global solar industry,” said Assemblyman Kevin Cahill of Kingston.

“Solar energy is not only clean, it is also something that recognizes the ability to reduce costs in the long run, for consumers, if the capital costs can be brought down,” he said. “Being able to attract manufacturers to our community that will be producing solar panels is a key part of the multi-part approach that the Solar Energy Consortium is looking for.”

Congressman Maurice Hinchey of Ulster County said the state fund, along with the $3.5 million he has secured for the consortium, will revolutionize the way of life and help save the planet from global warming.

“It has the ability to play a major role in moving alternative energy forward and maximizing our capacity to develop our energy directly from the sun,” he said. “We should be reducing our dependence on oil, primarily foreign oil.”

State Senator John Bonacic of Mt. Hope said the funds are “an investment that will not only create jobs, but will help create an energy source for the future.”

Vincent Cozzolino, co-founder of The Solar Energy Consortium said the announcement shows the state’s “commitment to addressing the looming energy crisis and the harmful effects of global warming by not only investing in clean renewable power but doing so in a way that will create jobs in the Hudson Valley and across the state.”