New York solar developer US Light Energy officially broke ground on its latest community solar initiative. The Sugar Hill Solar Farm, to be located on 40 acres of land on the Sugar-Hill/Sugar-View Farm on Sugar Hill Road, will be the first community solar farm developed in Clifton Park, New York. The 7-MW ground-mount solar project will encompass nearly 20,000 solar modules. When fully operational later this year, it is expected to produce more than 8.6 million kWh of clean energy annually.

As a participant in New York state’s Community Solar Program, electricity generated at Sugar Hill Solar Farm can be supplied to customers anywhere in National Grid’s existing distribution system, without the need for rooftop solar panels. Subscribers typically save 10% on their electricity bills. Residential and commercial properties in Clifton Park will have 30 days to subscribe before the solar energy generated by the farm is opened to the general public.

“We are thrilled to begin construction of Clifton Park’s first community solar farm, which will produce clean, renewable energy that saves money for customers and reduces our carbon footprint,” said Mark Richardson, President and CEO of US Light Energy. “With the support of leaders in town government, elected representatives on the state and federal levels, and our partners in energy delivery and advocacy, we look forward to harnessing the power of the sun to positively impact our energy, economic and environmental futures.”

The project received over $1.6 million in funding from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative, which is administered by NYSERDA. NY-Sun is a $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 1,500% and leveraged nearly $3.5 billion in private investments.

“This project is the perfect first step in building our New York portfolio of community solar projects,” said Scott Wiater, President and CEO of Standard Solar, which will own and operate the community solar farm. “We believe community solar is the future of the industry, and US Light Energy is leading the way in developing innovative projects. We congratulate them and the state of New York on this momentous occasion.”

News item from US Light Energy