Community Solar – Columbia County, New York
Welcoming the First Community Solar Array in Columbia County
NYSERDA and SunCommon (formerly Hudson Solar) have completed one of the first community solar projects in Columbia County. As a result, the installation will help New York meet governor Cuomo’s goal requiring 50% of the state’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030.
Alicia Barton, president and CEO, NYSERDA, said, “New Yorkers all across the state are embracing our state’s transition to a clean energy future, and demanding greater access to clean energy solutions like solar energy. Community solar projects like this one in Columbia County are now making that option available to greater numbers of New York residents every day as part of Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading strategy to expand renewable energy access statewide.”A ribbon cutting at the 214 kilowatt (kW) solar installation was held with representatives from NYSERDA and SunCommon attending. This community solar project is located on one acre and was designed and constructed by SunCommon.
The community solar project accommodates about 40 customers. Most importantly, the solar system provides environmental benefits by removing about 71 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. This is equivalent to taking about 15 cars off the road each year!Community solar projects enable multiple residents and small business owners to receive a portion of the energy produced by an off-site solar array. Participants receive credit on their individual monthly electric bills for the power the array produces. Members of a community solar array own solar panels and utilize the energy they produce without installing anything on their own site.
“For homeowners without a good site for solar, there were no real options to save money. We’re delighted to be offering a new way to create clean energy that’s accessible to many more people,” said SunCommon VP and General Manager, Jeff Irish.The project was supported through NY-Sun, 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. NY-Sun is one of the pillars of the State’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy.
Since 2011, solar in the state has increased 800% and leveraged $1.5 billion in private investments. Due to this, there are over 12,000 people engaged in solar jobs across New York.
About the Installation:
- System size 214kW
- Number of panels 630
- Total production 257,040 kilowatt-hours annually
Mary O’Keffe, a Columbia County CSA Member, signing her panels for her & her daughters. Their panels will power their family home for generations to come.“When we were approached about a community solar project on our property, it was easy to say yes! Not only are we doing our part to help preserve our environment, we are helping our neighbors realize the benefits of solar power, where many would not have been able to without projects such as this.” –Dennis Loveland, Columbia County CSA Host & Member