Encore Renewable Energy has been selected by EPC GreenSpark Solar to work together on the 3.6-MW agrivoltaic solar project site in Constable, New York. Constable Solar represents Encore’s first solar project in New York within a 90-MW pipeline of under-development solar projects.
Tacked on to New York state’s aggressive clean energy goals, an evolving energy supply market – finding renewables the increasingly cost-effective form of energy production – demand for solar has never been higher,” said Chad Farrell, founder and co-CEO of Encore Renewable Energy. Utilities are the tip of the spear when it comes to broader clean energy adoption, and delivering projects like this in partnership with NYSEG is critical for meeting increased energy demand at affordable costs for ratepayers.
Agrivoltaic Solution
J&R Pierce Family Farm of West Chazy will provide the sheep that will rotationally graze the site to meet the vegetation management standards required for solar production. This agrivoltaic solution avoids the need for fossil fuel-powered mowers while improving the soil quality and boosting pollinator health on site.
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“We’re looking forward to partnering with Encore on this agri-energy project,” said Rebekah Pierce of J&R Pierce Family Farm. “As a small family farm these partnerships with local solar companies are vital in supporting our business and keeping land in agricultural production. We’re helping harvest the sun but also supporting the viability of our local food systems by producing a local, healthy and affordable source of meat for our community.” The project site, currently used for hay production, is owned by siblings Michelle, Danielle and Steve Sirois, who have maintained the land for 29 years “This project provides an exciting opportunity to preserve our father’s land by putting it to good use by supporting clean energy in the community,” they said.
Construction timeline
GreenSpark Solar has commenced with the construction of the Constable Solar facility, with survey and civil activities underway.
“We are thrilled to welcome Encore as a new portfolio partner and to start our first collaboration together in Vermont, in addition to another project in our home state of New York,” said Scott Abbett, co-owner GreenSpark Solar. “Our values-aligned partnership is underscored by both teams’ designation as Certified B Corporations and member-owners within the nationwide Amicus Solar Cooperative. Working with Encore’s team of development experts makes it easy for GreenSpark to focus on building high-quality solar solutions for our shared projects.”
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More New York solar projects
Community solar developer SolarBank plans a community solar ground-mount site in East Bloomfield, New York, with a DC capacity of 6.41 MW. The project is expected to be eligible for incentives under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s NY-Sun Programme, according to SolarBank. Land preparation for the East Bloomfield project is already underway. Activities completed so far include pre-acquisition of topography and an interconnection approval, according to the company.
Commissioned, the site would be able to power 800 local homes a year. Toronto-headquartered SolarBank is a developer of solar projects, selling electricity to utilities, C&I, municipal and residential offtakers. To date, the company has developed projects at over 70 MW of combined capacity with a potential pipeline of over 1 GW in development.
