EnterSolar and Continental Building Products, a North American manufacturer of gypsum drywall and complementary finishing products, announced today that construction has commenced on a 2.4-MW solar installation on Continental’s Buchanan manufacturing facility along the Hudson River in Westchester County, New York.
The installation, developed by EnterSolar and its partner TriState Solar Alliance, will be completed in the fall. Once operational, the Buchanan system will be the largest rooftop solar power system in New York.
In an effort to share the benefits of the solar power system more broadly with the Westchester community, Continental is structuring the project as a “community solar” project. Community solar, or shared solar, refers to a centrally located solar facility that enables residential households, within a defined geographic area, to share in the energy produced from a green, sustainable source. By hosting the Continental Community Solar project on its rooftop, Continental will help participating Westchester households access the energy produced by the solar panels and receive credits toward their monthly electric bills.
Continental has been present in Westchester County since 2013, when it purchased the plant from Lafarge Gypsum. The manufacturer employs 110 people at the facility, which has been in operation since 1968. The company uses 99% recycled materials in all its drywall products, contributing to sustainable building practices.
“We’re always looking for ways to make a positive difference in our local communities,” said Mike Kralik, Plant Manager at the Buchanan facility. “With the Continental Community Solar project, we’re proud to help provide clean, affordable energy to local residents. I can’t wait to see the installation project to fruition and turn on the system this fall!”
As the project’s developer, EnterSolar is managing all aspects of the project on behalf of Continental, and is executing the design, engineering, and installation of the Buchanan system.
“As a New York-headquartered company, we find it particularly gratifying to develop a project that not only benefits our client Continental directly, but also very specifically serves the larger Westchester community,” said Steve Burns, Director, EnterSolar. “Many Westchester households in the Con Edison service territory will derive value from this installation and will have the knowledge that they too are benefiting from the production of clean renewable energy.”
News item from EnterSolar
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