New York, NY: A community solar farm of 7.1 MW has been completed.
Standard Solar funded the construction of the project and will also own and manage it. The project was developed by SolarPark Energy. Catalyst Power is responsible for customer service and subscriber acquisition.
According to the companies, the project is already fully subscribed. Catalyst Power has several smaller commercial subscribers.
The project was dedicated for Thomas Guzek who founded SolarPark Energy and worked to bring it to the York community.
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New York continues to lead the way in community solar development with the completion of its community solar project in York.
Officials in New York celebrated the March milestone of 1GW of community-solar capacity, more than any other state.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), stated that community solar development has helped accelerate the state’s goal to generate 70% electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Hochul hopes to achieve 10 GW solar in the same timeframe.
New York is also the home of the first U.S. community solar program that automatically enrolls residents.
The community choice solar program has been made available to more than 3,800 households and small businesses in Brockport and Lima as part of Joule Community Power’s Finger Lakes Community Choice program. All eligible residents are automatically enrolled, without the need to complete additional steps.
Now, enough electricity is generated by community solar to power 209,000 homes across the state.
According to the governor’s office, community solar was responsible for 70% of New York’s total solar additions in 2021. The state has a solar pipeline that includes 708 projects and totals 2,300 MW.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s $1.8 Billion NY-Sun program was launched in 2011. It aims at scaling solar and lowering costs. The program has directed over $200 million to low-to-moderate-income households as part of its Solar Energy Equity Framework.
Last year, the Biden administration set a goal of powering 5 million American homes with community solar projects by 2025– an ambition that would require 700% growth of current capacity.