A new 100 MW Greene County solar farm has been approved for construction in, Albany, New York by the state Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment. Flint Mine Solar announced they’re commencing on the project that could make nearly 500 supply, manufacturing, and construction jobs amounting to US$41.3 million in wages. The project could additionally create opportunities for local supply and construction vendors. The farm will be located on approximately 1,600 acres of purchased and privately leased land and the solar panels will be connected to the electric grid through infrastructure owned by National Grid.
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Project benefits of the Greene County solar farm will include the direct and indirect creation of jobs in construction and construction-related services, jobs associated with induced impacts, related supply chain jobs, and annual revenues for local economies during construction, according to the Flint Mine Solar press release. In addition, local governments will receive payments in lieu of taxes over 25 years that will be distributed to the towns of Coxsackie and Athens, the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District, Coxsackie Hose Company #3, the West Athens-Lime street Fire Company, and the Coxsackie and Athens libraries. The developer is expected to conserve and purchase the 62.5-acre parcel and create a nearly 300-acre grassland conservation area improved with a recreational walking path near Flint Mine Road.
The developer estimated construction of the solar farm, expected to take about a year and a half, would provide US$68 million in overall economic output, including US$21 million countywide. After a review of the application, the siting board determined that the solar project will be a beneficial addition to the electric generation capacity of the state and will also serve the goals of improving fuel diversity, grid reliability, and modernization of grid infrastructure. Prior to construction, the developer will purchase almost all of the land needed for the project directly from current landowners, resulting in a direct infusion of almost US$15 million into the local economy, the Board said.
