Greenbacker Renewable Energy has begun the main construction phase of its Cider solar farm in Genesee County, marking the groundbreaking of what will be the largest solar project in New York State. After receiving approval from the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Transmission under the 94-c regulations, the project expects to be operational by the end of 2026.
Start of construction of the New York solar farm
Located on more than 2,500 acres, Cider is designed to produce nearly one million megawatt-hours of green electricity annually, equivalent to the consumption of approximately 120,000 homes. This initiative is part of the state’s commitment to expand the use of sustainable sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to its environmental benefits, the Cider Solar Farm will generate revenues in excess of $100 million for the region over its lifetime. This economic impact will be reflected in local taxes, community agreements and tax benefits for Genesee County.
Initial construction work includes mechanical and civil works such as the installation of steel piles and solar panel structures. In addition, Greenbacker has secured a Labor Agreement with state labor unions to guarantee the employment of local unionized labor. This collaboration is expected to create hundreds of skilled jobs during the development of the project.
One of the strengths of the Cider solar park solar farm is the implementation of agrovoltaic practices. Over 300 acres of the land will be used for rotational sheep grazing, combining electricity generation and agricultural use, a strategy that also contributes to more natural vegetation control.
It is estimated that during its first year of operation, Cider will avoid the emission of some 680,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. This figure is comparable to the impact of removing more than 150,000 vehicles from the road, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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Source and photo: Greenbacker
