The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York State Department of Public Service, EnterSolar, and Clean Energy Collective (CEC) have announced the beginning of construction on the first community solar project under the state’s Shared Renewables Program.
Located in Halfmoon, N.Y., the 582 kW project will feed solar energy to the grid operated by New York State Electric & Gas Corp. and will allow more than 100 residential customers in the utility’s territory to participate in local clean power generation.
Under the Shared Renewables Program, which was announced last July, residents can purchase individual solar panels in the Halfmoon solar array and receive credit for the power production directly on their monthly electric bills, as if the panels were located on their own roof.
The Halfmoon project will feature a solar array of more than 1,700 panels. EnterSolar is the project developer, and CEC is providing a community solar solution called RooflessSolar. CEC is also working with Affordable Housing Partnership and earmarking 10 kW of capacity to be assigned to five low-income families each year for 20 years. The project is expected to be online by late summer.
“EnterSolar could not be more proud to be part of this notable project for New York State,” says Paul Ahern, president of EnterSolar. “This partnership is a model not only for solar in New York, but nationwide.”
The project received funding through Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s $1 billion NY-Sun initiative, which is designed to build a self-sustaining solar industry in New York and help achieve strategic energy goals under the governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) and the state’s 50% by 2030 renewable portfolio standard.
“This first-in-the-state Shared Renewables solar project advances Governor Cuomo’s energy goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure New Yorkers have access to clean, affordable, locally-produced power,” says John B. Rhodes, president and CEO of NYSERDA. “We congratulate these partners, who are providing this opportunity to residents who otherwise might not have solar as an option.”
