New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the completion of the state’s largest community solar project, which will result in reduced energy bills for more than 350 households and small businesses. The 2.7-MW solar array in Callicoon in Sullivan County is critical to supporting Governor Cuomo’s mandate for half of all electricity consumed to come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
“An investment in renewable energy is an investment in the future and sustainability of New York’s environment, and the overall health of this state,” Governor Cuomo said. “This Sullivan County project will deliver energy savings to residents throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley region, while supporting the establishment of a cleaner, greener New York for all.”
The solar array includes approximately 9,800 solar panels. The project will reduce greenhouse gases by 1,670 metric tons annually, the equivalent to taking approximately 360 cars off the road.
The Sullivan County project is owned by Delaware River Solar. It received nearly $1.3 million in funding through Governor Cuomo’s $1 billion NY-Sun initiative, which is building a self-sustaining solar industry in New York State. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority administers the NY-Sun initiative.
“New Yorkers are once again joining Governor Cuomo’s commitment to fighting climate change and protecting our environment as we march towards meeting his nation-leading commitments to adoption of renewable energy. I commend all of the Sullivan County community solar subscribers for taking part in solar energy projects like this one that are not only reducing harmful carbon emissions, but creating thousands of jobs and spurring local investments all across our state,” said Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA.
These community-based projects increase access to solar in areas where residents may or may not own property or have room to install solar panels at their location by enabling them to subscribe to a local community solar project. Once households and businesses subscribe, energy is still delivered through their regular electric provider while the power produced from the solar array is fed directly back to the electric grid. As a result, the grid is supplied with clean, renewable energy while subscribers get credit on their electric bills.
In February, Governor Cuomo announced that solar power in New York increased more than 1,000 percent from December 2011 to December 2017, leveraging more than $2.8 billion in private investments. There are more than 12,000 people engaged in solar jobs across New York.
“We are excited that our first community solar array is in our home town of Callicoon, New York. And we are very gratified by all the local support as evidenced by the fact 82 percent of the power is subscribed by people in Sullivan County and 52 percent in the town itself. Hyper local green energy in New York State!” said Rich Winter, CEO, Delaware River Solar.
News item from NYSERDA
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