Encore Renewable Energy today announced construction of a 3.6 MW solar array in Constable, New York. Constable Solar is Encore’s first solar project in New York State and is part of nearly 90 MW of solar and energy storage currently being developed by Encore in the Empire State. Under New York’s NY-Sun Initiative and VDER program, NYSEG will compensate Encore for the electricity produced from the new array and provide affordable, reliable and carbon-free energy to their customers.
“With New York’s ambitious clean energy goals and an evolving energy supply market that views renewables as an increasingly cost-effective form of energy production, demand for solar energy has never been greater,” said Chad Farrell, founder and co-CEO of Encore Renewable Energy. “Utilities are the tip of the spear when it comes to broader adoption of clean energy, and delivering projects like these in partnership with NYSEG is critical to meeting increased energy demand at an affordable cost to ratepayers .”
A partnership already exists with J&R Pierce Family Farm, located in West Chazy, New York, to provide sheep to rotate the property to meet vegetation management standards required for solar energy production. This solution avoids the need for noisy fossil fuel mowers while improving soil quality and promoting pollinator health.
“We look forward to working with Encore on this agri-energy project,” said Rebekah Pierce of J&R Pierce Family Farm. “As a small, family-owned business, these partnerships with local solar companies are critical to supporting our business and continuing to keep land in agricultural production.
The project site, previously used for hay production, is owned by siblings Michelle, Danielle and Steve Sirois, 29-year-old landowners in Constable.
“This project provides a great opportunity to preserve our father’s land by putting it to good use by supporting clean energy in the community,” the Sirois siblings added.
Construction has begun with survey and civil activities conducted by New York-based solar contractor GreenSpark Solar.
“We are pleased to welcome Encore as a new portfolio partner and to launch our first collaboration in Vermont, in addition to this project in our home state of New York. Our values-aligned partnership is highlighted by the designation of both teams as Certified B Corporations and member-owners within the national Amicus Solar Cooperative,” said Scott Abbett, Executive Director of Commercial Operations & Electrical Self-Performance, Co-Owner at GreenSpark Solar . “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.”
News item from Encore Renewable Energy
