New York has already been making significant gains in developing solar energy resources by putting up photovoltaic roof arrays and other such installations. However, one industry group is also working to bring more solar thermal energy development to the state.

Instead of using photovoltaic panels, utility-scale solar thermal generates power with mirrors that focus sunlight onto a large container of liquid that becomes superheated and powers a turbine. Solar thermal products at the home level are used more for tasks such as water heating.

According to the Solar Thermal Consortium (STC) it has now unveiled a roadmap to establish New York as one of the nation's leaders in solar-powered heating and cooling.

"Sixty percent of the energy consumed in NYS buildings is to provide heat and hot water," said NYSEIA President Ron Kamen, senior vice president of EarthKind Solar, "Solar thermal technologies let the sun's free energy warm homes and workplaces, and heat hot water."

According to the STC, its roadmap would help New York develop 2,000 megawatts of solar thermal capacity, equivalent to 500,000 residential solar hot water systems. The group also pointed out that a solar hot water heater will help a family save as much as 50 percent on their hot water costs.