The Constable Solar Project is a 3.6 MW agrivoltaic solar installation located in Constable, New York. Encore Renewable Energy developed and now operates the project after it was commissioned in January 2025.
The 3.6 MW Constable Solar Project incorporates renewable energy generation with agricultural practices, including sheep grazing. Situated on farmland previously used for hay production, the project demonstrates a dual-use model that supports both clean energy production and sustainable land management. This has also widely seen across New York with projects such as the Plains Road Agrivoltaics Project in Montgomery that has just celebrated it launch.
Additionally, the Constable Solar Project also benefits from New York’s NY-Sun Initiative and the Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) program. These are involved in the contribution of electricity to the local grid while maintaining active agricultural operations.
Constable Solar Agrivoltaic Project, New York Factsheet
Project Type: Agrivoltaic / dual-use solar
Location: Constable, New York
Developer / Owner: Encore Renewable Energy (acquired from Citrine Power LLC)
EPC Contractor: GreenSpark Solar
Rated Capacity: 3.6 MW
Community Partnership: J&R Pierce Family Farm
Regulatory Programs: NY-Sun Initiative, Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) program, NYSEG off-take
Construction Start Date: August 2024
Project Announcement Date: September 2024
Project Commissioning Date: January 2025
Annual Energy Output: Powers several hundred homes
Constable Solar Project Timeline
2022: Citrine Power initiates development of the Constable Solar Project, collaborating with the Sirois family, NYSEG, the Town of Constable, and NYSERDA to secure permits and approvals
August 27, 2024: Encore Renewable Energy begins construction on the 3.6 MW agrivoltaic solar array, marking their first solar project in New York State
August 29, 2024: GreenSpark Solar commenced construction activities as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partner for the project
September 4, 2024: The project was officially announced, highlighting its integration of agrivoltaic practices, including sheep grazing by J&R Pierce Family Farm to manage vegetation
January 2025: The Constable Solar Project was energized and began delivering clean, renewable energy to the grid under New York’s NY-Sun Initiative and VDER program
More on the Constable Agrivoltaic Solar Project in New York
Constable Solar represents Encore’s first solar project in New York within a 90-MW pipeline of under-development solar projects.
During the selection of GreenSpark Solar as EPC contractor for the 3.6 MW Constable Agrivoltaic Solar Project in New York, founder of Encore, Chad Farrell, said the following:
“With New York’s ambitious clean energy goals and an evolving energy supply market that is finding renewables to be an increasingly more cost-effective form of energy production, the demand for solar has never been higher.”
Farell then added:
“Delivering projects like this in partnership with capable developers like Citrine Power LLC and utilities like NYSEG who are the tip of the spear when it comes to broader clean energy adoption is critical for meeting increased energy demand at affordable costs for ratepayers.”
The Agrivoltaic Solution
J&R Pierce Family Farm of West Chazy will provide the sheep that will graze the site. This agrivoltaic solution avoids the need for fossil fuel-powered mowers and also improves soil quality and pollinator health on site.
Rebekah Pierce, of J&R Pierce Family Farm, had the following to say:
“We’re looking forward to partnering with Encore on this agri-energy project. 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 is used for hay production. This is under the ownership of siblings Michelle, Danielle and Steve Sirois, who have maintained the land for 29 years. They had the following to say:
“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.”
More Solar Projects in New York
Community solar developer SolarBank is also planning a community solar ground-mount site in East Bloomfield, New York, with a DC capacity of 6.41 MW. The project obtained a lease site permit and is currently in the permitting and financing stages.
SolarBank’s 6.41 MW East Bloomfield solar project is also eligible for incentives under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s NY-Sun Programme. Land preparation for the East Bloomfield project is also underway. Pre-acquisition of topography and interconnection approval have also been done. Once commissioned, SolarBank’s solar project in East Bloomfied will power up to 800 local homes annually.
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