In what could become the biggest solar project in the state, the utility will seek proposals for harnessing the sun's rays.

LIPA's president, Kevin Law, says it'll be up to the private energy company that makes the winning bid.

LAW: They will go out, identify the rooftops that are suitable for solar, use their money to put in the infrastructure necessary to harness that energy, and LIPA will agree to purchase that energy from them.

REPORTER: Kevin Law says he expects the cost of solar energy to be competitive with fossil fuels, as the price of oil and gas has climbed dramatically in recent years.

LIPA's solar plans were developed in part by Governor Paterson when he was chair of the State Renewable Energy Task Force.

For WNYC, I'm Ilya Marritz.