U.S. Light Energy Brings Community Solar to Lewis County, NY
U.S. Light Energy officially launched development construction of the 7.2 megawatt Denmark Community Solar Project — Lewis County’s first community solar initiative. Standard Solar will own and operate the ground-mount community solar project long term.
“Our funding and ownership of this project is consistent with our resolve to bring affordable, clean energy to communities throughout the state and country,” said Scott Wiater, President and CEO of Standard Solar.
A Robust System Generating Clean Energy for Subscribers
The array is expected to produce more than 8.9 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean energy annually — enough electricity to offset the CO2 emissions from 1,105 homes’ electricity use for one year and charging 808,017,523 smartphones. The project is expected to begin operations in December 2019.
“We’re delighted to begin construction of this community solar project that will bring clean, renewable energy to Denmark residents, farms, and businesses,” said Mark Richardson, President and CEO of U.S. Light Energy. “This project could only have happened with the support of the local community, state and federal policymakers and our partners in energy delivery and advocacy.”
Accessing Solar Power In New York Without Owning Solar Panels
The project is part of New York State’s Community Solar Program which allows the electricity generated by the Denmark Community Solar Project to be supplied to customers anywhere in National Grid’s existing distribution system. By subscribing to the program, customers can benefit from solar energy without the need for their own solar panels.
“The Town of Denmark is proud to be a forerunner in community solar projects by hosting one of the first within Lewis County,” said James Der, Supervisor, Town of Denmark. “We are pleased that a project like this will be able to bring clean energy to not only our local residents but also other users in the National Grid distribution area. We are hopeful that this may lead to future projects.”
“Lewis County Economic Development is excited to assist U.S. Light Energy with the project in Denmark and we look forward to future projects proposed by the company,” said Joe Lawrence, Lewis County Economic Development/IDA Board Chairperson. “Private investment in energy development is an important piece of our economic growth strategy in Lewis County.”
This project is one of several in U.S. Light Energy’s portfolio that received funding from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative, which is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
