ALBANY – Governor Paterson has targeted $10 million in federal stimulus money for solar energy projects in New York.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey, who spearheaded the solar initiatives in Ulster County through The Solar Energy Consortium, said while the money has not been targeted for specific projects, allocating it for solar projects is a significant step.

“Just the idea that he is taking advantage of this stimulus package to focus attention and resources on the need to develop alternative, particularly solar energy, is very positive and I am very grateful to him for doing that so effectively,” he said. “We will be working closely with the governor’s office to insure that a significant amount of that money can come to the Solar Energy Consortium, which was set up in the Hudson Valley, but which is also working in a number of other places.”

The governor said the funding is designed to help build a sustainable industry in the state by promoting the installation of high quality solar power systems and deploying clean energy technology.