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GAIA Host Collective
I suspect spending that money on subsidising new air conditioners (Energy Star ones are as much as 60% more efficient) and new windows, insulation etc. would do as much for peak power demand as a few solar cells (at current prices). A 'negawatt' saved is probably a whole lot cheaper than a megawatte generated by PV (at least in NYC's climate and latitude-- California or Phoenix could be very different).
Ditto mandating that stores, restaurants etc. keep their doors closed on hot days.
Perhaps through time of day pricing, although that would require a huge investment in new electric metring.
That said, they are building a huge windpowered station in upstate New York, I think. And there must be some real offshore wind opportunities off Long Island.
When the nuclear reactors shut down (http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/st_profiles/sept02ny.xls Nine Mile Point?) New York is going to have a power deficit, I think.
Here's an analysis I did a while back, but haven't figured out on my new Mac computer how to make the excel chart into a picture that I can post. Any tech advice.