Landowner: Michael M., Former Dairy Farmer
Project: Community Solar Garden
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Completion Date: 2018
Project Status: Pre-NTP Sold in April 2018
Project Overview
In 2016, Michael M., a native farmer from the Hudson Valley region of New York, decided to transform a portion of his 100-acre dairy farm into a renewable energy asset. Partnering with YSG Solar, Michael signed a land lease agreement that would see nearly 30 acres of his land turned into a Community Solar Garden, providing clean energy to residential homeowners in the region.
The project, situated in the Orange & Rockland Electric utility area, represented a significant shift in land use, promoting sustainable energy while ensuring the land continued to provide value to the community.
Development Process
YSG Solar led the early development phase, which included securing favorable electric utility upgrade costs—a critical factor in the project's feasibility. Leveraging advanced GIS mapping and power flow modeling studies, YSG was able to reduce the electric upgrade costs by 25% compared to similar projects. This strategic approach allowed YSG’s Land Acquisition team to identify and target prime real estate for solar development, enhancing the overall project value.
By April 2018, YSG Solar successfully marketed and sold the “Pre-NTP” (Notice to Proceed) project to a leading construction company. This company later built the solar facility and subsequently sold it to a large power company, ensuring the long-term sustainability and operational success of the project.
Project Details
- Power Buyer: Community Solar (Residential Homeowners)
- Project Capacity: 1.79 MWdc, 1.56 MWac
- Lease Term: 25 Years
- Extension: 10 Years
- Useful Life: 35 Years
Impact
This project not only provided clean, renewable energy to local homeowners but also demonstrated how agricultural land can be effectively repurposed for solar energy development. Michael M.'s decision to partner with YSG Solar turned underutilized farmland into a revenue-generating asset while contributing to New York's renewable energy goals.
The success of this project underscores YSG Solar's ability to navigate the complexities of solar development, from site acquisition and utility negotiations to project marketing and eventual sale. It serves as a model for future community solar projects in the region and beyond.
