Tompkins Co. home to state’s first community-shared solar project

Tompkins Weekly Staff

TRUMANSBURG – The ribbon was cut on New York state’s first community-shared solar project – in Tompkins County.
The ceremony took place at the solar array, located at 7107 Jacksonville Road in Trumansburg to official mark the completion of the state’s first such project, which allows multiple residents to purchase solar panels in an off-site solar array and receive credit for the power the array produces on their individual monthly electric bills.

Approximately 40 residents in Tompkins, Steuben and Schuyler counties purchased more than 1,100 solar panels in this project. The 359.1-kilowatt ground-mounted solar array is located in Trumansburg. The energy produced by the array is equivalent to the electricity needed to power approximately 60 average-sized homes. The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gases by 220 metric tons annually, which is the equivalent to taking approximately 50 cars off the road. The project was designed, constructed and self-financed by Renovus Solar, a Tompkins County solar developer.
Joe Sliker, president and chief executive office of Renovus Solar, called the interconnection of the project “a landmark moment, not only for the dozens of local families who now have access to the many befits of solar power, but also for New York State as a whole.”
“Community Shared Solar makes renewable energy possible for everyone; people whose homes and sites don’t qualify for solar, renters, and even low and moderate income families who never thought solar was possible for them,” Sliker said.
“From rooftop to rooftop, from panel to panel, the people of Tompkins County and their neighbors are embracing the use of solar power. They know it is better for our environment because it is innovative, sustainable, and reduces fossil fuel usage,” added Michael Lane, chairperson of the Tompkins County Legislature. “Our residents are proud to be a part of this extraordinary concept of shared solar power. Not only homeowners, but other energy consumers will now have an avenue to access solar energy to help meet their power needs and to strike a blow against global warming.”
Solar energy is a key component of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers and to the Clean Energy Standard mandate that 50 percent of electricity used in the State come from renewable energy by 2030.
“We already know the Southern Tier is home to a thriving clean tech industry and now it can boast about leading the state with Governor Cuomo’s community Shared Solar initiative – a core component of REV,” said Richaerd Kauffman, chairman of Energy & Finance for New York. “Completing this solar project is a testament to the community’s commitment in securing a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy future for New Yorkers.”
The Renovus Solar community shared solar project received funding through Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative, which is building a self-sustaining solar industry in New York and helping achieve strategic energy goals under REV and the Clean Energy Standard. NYSERDA administers NY-Sun.
“We congratulate all of the partners for making this investment available to residents who otherwise would not have been able to participate in a clean and bill-reducing energy system,” said John Rhodes, president and chief executive officer for NYSERDA.
The New York State Department of Public Service announced the state’s Shared Renewables initiative last July, with the goal of providing opportunities for renters, homeowners, low-income residents, schools and businesses to join together to set up shared renewable energy projects resulting in healthier and stronger communities. Shared Solar is part of this initiative.
“The Farm to Table movement in New York is now being joined by ‘Farm to Socket’ with the introduction of Community Solar projects under Governor’s Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision,” said Audrey Zibelman, chief executive office of the New York state Department of Public Service. “The Renovus project is great example of how REV is bringing new and greater energy choices to consumers, including the opportunity to share in the benefits of clean, solar power.”