Monroe County Water Authority Flips the Switch On One Of NY’s First Bifacial Solar Arrays
Beyond the financial benefits of the solar array, utilizing sustainable, clean energy is a significant step forward in our commitment to environmental stewardship.
ROCHESTER, NY, Aug. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA) joined with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), developer Sol Systems, local dignitaries and elected officials today to celebrate the completion of its new 5 MW ground-mounted solar array in Penfield with a ‘flip the switch’ ceremony. The project is one of the first in New York State to utilize bifacial solar modules and single axis tracking, which allows light to enter both sides of a panel, increasing total energy generation and also adjusting to track the movement of the sun.
The installation of the new solar array, located on the Water Authority’s property at the corner of Penfield Road and Watson Hulbert Road, is part of the Water Authority’s long-term goal to reduce energy expenses. The array is expected to generate 8 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, which represents more than 15 percent of MCWA’s energy needs for water pumping and treatment.
“Reliably providing quality, affordable water is our top priority. MCWA should realize substantial savings over the course of this 25-year contract, helping keep water rates affordable,” said MCWA Executive Director Nick Noce. “Beyond the financial benefits of the solar array, utilizing sustainable, clean energy is a significant step forward in our commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Through a competitive bid process led by NYPA, national solar energy developer Sol Systems in Washington D.C. was selected to install and operate the solar array at no expense to the Water Authority. In return, the kilowatt hours of energy produced by the panels are delivered to Rochester Gas & Electric and a percentage is credited to MCWA on its energy bills. The project also qualified for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) solar energy incentive, which will pay nearly $1 million towards the project over the first two years of operation.
“The New York Power Authority is pleased to have played an energy advisor role for the Water Authority to help make this unique solar project happen in Monroe County,” said Justin E. Driscoll, NYPA’s interim president and CEO. “This prudent use of Water Authority land will make a new source of clean power available to the Water Authority. Monroe County residents and New Yorkers as a whole will benefit from further reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which supports the state’s ambitious clean energy goals. We commend the Water Authority’s dedication to this clean energy project, even amidst the challenges that we faced together during the pandemic and over the last few years.”
The Water Authority’s new system will generate electricity to help support New York’s clean energy goals, which includes achieving 70 percent renewables-sourced electricity by 2030 and a 100 percent carbon-free electricity sector by 2040. The state intends to build at least 10 gigawatts of distributed solar by 2030, enough to annually power nearly 700,000 homes.
“The economic and sustainable benefits of this project will be felt for years to come, and we are proud to have had such committed partners in MCWA and NYPA,” said Anna Toenjes, Senior Director at Sol Systems. “In addition to providing clean energy and cost savings, the project’s pollinator habitat will provide decades of positive impact to the local ecosystem.”
The array spans approximately 29 acres. For sustainability, during construction, the site was planted with a seed mixture of pollinator plants, which will create new habitats for local pollinators in a boost to the surrounding ecosystem.
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About Monroe County Water Authority
Monroe County Water Authority is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation that reliably provides quality, affordable water to foster economic vitality and enhanced quality of life for Monroe County and area communities who request service. Currently serving over 780,000 people in Monroe and its five adjacent counties, MCWA produces and delivers an average of 60 million gallons of water daily. For more information, please visit www.mcwa.com.
About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.
About Sol Systems
Sol Systems is a leading national solar energy firm with an established reputation for integrity and reliability across its development, infrastructure and environmental commodity businesses. To date, Sol has developed and/or financed over 1 GW of solar projects valued at more than $1 billion for Fortune 100 companies, municipalities, counties, utilities, universities and schools. The company also actively shapes and trades in environmental commodity and electricity markets throughout the United States. The company was founded in 2008, is based in Washington, D.C., and is led by its founder. Sol Systems works with its team, partners, and clients to create a more sustainable future we can all believe in. For more information, visit https://www.solsystems.com.
Will Patterson Sol Systems (240) 778-3530 [email protected] Kerry Sharp Monroe County Water Authority (585) 442-2000, ext. 252 [email protected] Lynne Smith New York Power Authority (914) 346-4656 [email protected]