New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the largest community solar project in Tompkins County is now complete and fully operational. Located in the Town of Enfield, 373 households and a local church are benefiting from the 2.3-MW solar array which supports Governor Cuomo’s mandate for half of all electricity consumed to come from renewable energy sources by 2030. The project also complements “Southern Tier Soaring,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development.
“Clean, renewable energy is critical to combatting climate change and protecting our environment for current and future generations of New Yorkers,” Governor Cuomo said. “With the addition of this community solar project, we are continuing our commitment to a green future and to a more resilient, affordable energy grid.”
The solar array includes 6,804 solar panels on 13 acres. In addition to the 373 households, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Endicott has also subscribed to this community solar project.
The solar array was developed by BlueRock Solar and Renovus Solar, with BlueRock also handling customer acquisition and service, along with the monthly interface with NYSEG, the local utility company. It is owned by New Energy Equity.
Michael L. Francis, BlueRock Solar General Manager, said, “Since the community solar project is a subscription style project, it provides the easiest and cheapest way for customers to go solar as there is no upfront payment required to join. There is no credit check, customers sign a contract for as short as one year, and with the project being net metered, we provide discounts to utility supply and delivery rates. It is a tremendous program benefitting both the environment and our customers.”
Joe Sliker, President, Renovus Solar, said, “It was a pleasure to work with the team at BlueRock, NYSERDA’s project representatives, and all the talented engineers on both side of the table to bring this project online. Renovus’ goal has always been to bring solar power to the masses, and every watt of solar power we develop with partners like BlueRock help bring New York closer to its energy infrastructure goals.”
NY-Sun is Governor Cuomo’s $1 billion initiative to advance the scale-up of solar and move the state closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry. Since 2011, solar in New York State has increased more than 1,000%, leveraged nearly $2.8 billion in private investments and has more than 12,000 people engaged in solar jobs across the state.
More than 84,000 solar installations have been supported by NYSERDA throughout New York State to date, with over 5,004 projects currently in the pipeline, including 700 MW of community solar. In 2018, through June, New York was ranked third nationally in residential and non-residential solar installed. In addition, during the months of July and August 2018, New York completed 80 megawatts of solar projects – the highest amount completed in two months in the state’s history.
News item from NYSERDA
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