518-377-9430
info@downtownschenectady.org
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
http://downtownschenectady.org
  • Home
  • Visit
    • Downtown Schenectady Attractions
    • Schenectady Parking
    • Transportation
    • Directions
    • Discover Schenectady
    • Downtown Schenectady This Week
  • Explore
    • Dining + Nightlife
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Education + Museums
    • Health + Fitness
    • Shop Schenectady
    • Services
    • Schenectady Transportation
    • Lodging
    • Houses of Worship
  • News
  • About
    • What We Do
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board of Directors
    • Job Opportunities
    • Publications
    • Stakeholders
  • Support DSIC
  • Contact DSIC

Schenectady County and the County Solar Energy Consortium Announce Partnership with General Electric to Develop and Build Network of Solar Farms Generating Power for Local Governments

April 26, 2018Jim Salengo

(Schenectady County, NY) Members of the Schenectady County Legislature joined today with local municipal leaders and GE to announce the largest and most ambitious municipal solar project in New York State.

“Today, I am extremely proud to announce that Schenectady County and the Schenectady County Solar Energy Consortium will be partnering with GE to develop and build a network of solar farms that if fully implemented will generate up to 45 megawatts of solar energy capacity throughout Schenectady County,” said Legislator Rory Fluman, Chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Intergovernmental Cooperation. “Schenectady County is again leading the way in renewable energy that is saving taxpayer dollars.”

“We are proud to have been chosen by Schenectady County in a competitive process to build and operate this transformational solar project,” said Erik Schiemann, General Manager of Solar Development at GE.  “GE has been in the power generation business for 125 years and has made renewable energy a cornerstone of its business, with major investments in wind energy, hydro energy and now through our solar development business.  We look forward to working in partnership with Schenectady County and the Schenectady County Solar Energy Consortium to deliver these comprehensive and well-coordinated solar energy solutions.”

The County Solar Energy Consortium grew out of the County-Wide Shared Services Property Tax Savings Plan required by the 2017-2018 New York State budget.  The plan was unanimously approved by the County and each of the eight county municipalities in August of 2017.

The solar farms will be built by GE at no expense to County taxpayers. If fully developed, this project could save County, Town, City and Village taxpayers approximately $1.5 million each year, and $44 million over 25 years.

“The County Legislature has committed itself to reaching 100 percent energy independence by December 31, 2020 and assisting our local municipalities reach this goal by December 31, 2021,” said  Holly Vellano, Chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Environmental Conservation, Renewable Energy & Parks. “This initiative continues Schenectady County’s efforts to be a leader in renewable energy by partnering with our local governments to expand our solar production which will reduce emissions and protect the environment for future generations.”

As part of the shared-services plan, each municipal land owner volunteered potential sites to be evaluated as part of the solar consortium RFP process, and each municipal land owner has the final say as to whether or not its site will be utilized.

Schenectady County currently has numerous solar projects producing nearly 5mW of power annually, enough to power approximately sixty percent of all County facilities.  Projects include solar farms on Hetcheltown Road in Glenville, Hillside Business Park in Niskayuna, an Burdeck Street and Wedgewood Heights Solar Farm in Rotterdam,  along with roof top solar installations at the County Recreation Center and Ice Rink, highway garage, Rotterdam Branch Library, Phyllis Bornt Branch Library and Literacy Center, and the Schenectady County Business Center.

Proposed Consortium Solar Park Sites:

County of Schenectady         2 sites                6.0 MW

City of Schenectady                2 sites                4.5 MW

Town of Rotterdam                5 sites              11.0 MW

Town of Niskayuna                1 site                 1.5 MW

Town of Glenville                    3 sites              11.5 MW

Village of Delanson               4 sites                8.0 MW

Town of Duanesburg            1 site                 3.5 MW

Total Project Potential:        18 sites           46.0 MW

– 30 –

Archives

  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015

Recent News

  • New Beginning for Former St. Clare’s Hospital Campus in Schenectady Ellis Medicine Board Approves Sale to Development Team August 14, 2024
  • Electric City Community Grocery Signs Letter of Intent at 251-267 State Street August 7, 2024
  • Spectacular Autumn Glow Lantern Festival Coming to Historic Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction in the Fall August 5, 2024
  • New Immersive Show Coming to miSci Planetarium July 31, 2024
  • Capital Region Land Bank Schedules 27 Demolitions for Schenectady July 24, 2024
© 2015 Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation Site Design by D2 Media Consultants, Inc.