The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Hudson Solar announced the completion of the first community solar project in Columbia County. The installation will help New York meet Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's goal requiring 50 percent of the state's electricity to come from renewable energy sources by 2030.

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA, said, "New Yorkers all across the state are embracing our state's transition to a clean energy future, and demanding greater access to clean energy solutions like solar energy. Community solar projects like this one in Columbia County are now making that option available to greater numbers of New York residents every day as part of Governor Cuomo's nation-leading strategy to expand renewable energy access statewide."

A ribbon cutting at the 214 kilowatt (kW) solar installation was held with representatives from NYSERDA and Hudson Solar attending. This community solar project is located on one acre and was designed and constructed by Hudson Solar, a New York-owned and operated solar developer.

The community solar project can accommodate up to 40 customers. The solar system is located in the town of Clermont and the will provide environmental benefits by removing about 71 metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Community solar projects enable multiple residents and small business owners to receive a portion of the energy produced by an off-site solar array. Participants receive credit on their individual monthly electric bills for the power the array produces. Members of a community solar array can own solar panels and utilize the energy they produce without installing anything on their own site.

"For homeowners without a good site for solar, there were no real options to save money. We're delighted to be offering a new way to create clean energy that's accessible to many more people," said Hudson Solar Founder and President, Jeff Irish.

The project was supported through NY-Sun, Governor Cuomo's $1 billion initiative to advance the scale-up of solar and move the State closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry. NY-Sun is one of the pillars of the State's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy. Since 2011, solar in New York State has increased nearly 800 percent and leveraged nearly $1.5 billion in private investments. There are more than 12,000 people engaged in solar jobs across New York.

Hudson Solar | www.hudsonsolar.com

NYSERDA | www.nyserda.ny.gov