Encore Renewable Energy has announced that it has begun construction on Constable Solar, the developer’s first solar project in New York State. Under New York’s NY-Sun Initiative and VDER program, NYSEG will compensate the project for the electricity produced from the new array and provide affordable, reliable and carbon-free energy to their customers.
The Constable Solar project was developed by Citrine Power and was acquired by Encore Renewable Energy, which will own and operate the project.
“We are thrilled that construction has begun on the Constable Solar project and we are proud to partner with Encore on their first project in New York. These projects have many moving parts, but it was our pleasure to work with the Sirois family, Encore and other stakeholders to bring the Constable Solar project to life. Our team is working hard to bring the remainder of our development pipeline to fruition in New York State, which is leading the way in renewable energy adoption,” said Cela Sinay-Bernie, managing partner of Citrine Power.
The project site, previously used for hay production, is owned by siblings Michelle, Danielle and Steve Sirois, 29-year-old landowners in Constable. Citrine Power has been working with the Sirois siblings, NYSEG, Town of Constable and NYSERDA since 2022 to develop and enable the project.
“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. “Delivering projects like these 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 adoption of clean energy, is critical to meeting the increased demand for energy at an affordable cost for ratepayers.”
“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.
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.”
Construction has begun and construction activities are underway and are being handled by New York-based solar contractor GreenSpark Solar.
News item from Encore Renewable Energy
