5.4 MW solar project in New York: SolarBank targets community production

SolarBank is developing a 5.4 MW solar power plant in Broome County, New York. This community energy project is expected to power more than 640 homes and benefit from NYSERDA incentives via the NY-Sun program.

Share:

SolarBank commits to the development of a 5.4 MW solar power plant, named Boyle, in Broome County, New York.
The project is part of a strategy to boost local production of renewable energy while benefiting from subsidies from the NY-Sun program.
This program, managed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), enables solar projects to receive financial incentives designed to accelerate their implementation.
Once operational, the plant is expected to supply electricity to around 640 homes, incorporating a community-based generation model.
This model enables consumers to subscribe to the site’s production without having to install solar panels themselves, offering an accessible solution to a large proportion of the local population.
The energy injected into the grid enables subscribers to benefit from credits on their electricity bills.

Land use: towards a combined approach

The Boyle project also introduces an innovative component: agrivoltaics.
This practice, which combines solar energy production and agriculture, is implemented here by integrating sheep grazing on the site.
These animals help to manage the vegetation beneath the solar panels, thus avoiding the use of mechanical or chemical methods to maintain the areas.
This approach also enables local farmers to generate additional income through grazing contracts.
Agrivoltaics presents itself as a model for optimized land management, meeting economic and energy imperatives while reducing maintenance costs for SolarBank.
Although already tested elsewhere, this technique is becoming more widespread in large-scale solar projects, providing a concrete solution to land-use issues.

Risks related to the development of solar projects

The development of the Boyle power station is not without risk, however.
As with any project of this scale, a number of factors could impact on its progress.
Obtaining grid interconnection authorizations remains an essential prerequisite.
In addition, the availability of third-party financing, essential to guarantee the project’s economic profitability, remains uncertain.
Public incentives, while crucial to the energy transition, are not sustainable.
Revisions to local or federal government policies in support of renewable energies could affect the viability of similar projects in the future.
Flexibility in financial management and control of construction costs will therefore be crucial for SolarBank in the realization of this project.

A community-focused business model

The main attraction of the Boyle project lies in its community-based production model.
This approach enables consumers to enjoy the benefits of solar energy without having to bear the costs of installing individual panels.
Participants can sign up as subscribers to the project and receive credits on their electricity bill based on the amount of energy generated by the plant.
This model is particularly well-suited to densely populated areas or residents unable to install solar panels on their own roofs.
It also contributes to the global effort to decarbonize local electricity production, while making renewable energy accessible to a greater number of households.

Outlook and regulatory framework

The support of NYSERDA, through its NY-Sun program, is a decisive factor in the realization of the Boyle project.
These financial incentives help offset some of the development costs, making the project economically viable.
New York State’s regulatory framework is, to date, favorable to solar projects, but any change in policy could upset this type of initiative.
SolarBank’s approach reflects an underlying trend in the energy industry: the integration of innovative models to reconcile profitability and territorial responsibility.
However, the solar energy market, while dynamic, remains sensitive to changes in legislation and competition from other energy sources.

MPC Energy Solutions has signed an agreement to sell its stake in the Planeta Rica solar project in Colombia. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025.
EDF power solutions has commissioned the Aéroparc photovoltaic plant, with a capacity of 42.2 MWp, in the Territoire de Belfort, making a significant contribution to the region's energy transition.
The overproduction of solar energy in Europe is causing a drop in captured prices, undermining the profitability of producers. In Germany, Spain, and France, capture prices are at record lows, with profound economic consequences.
Altarea Energies Renouvelables has started work on its first ground-mounted photovoltaic plant in Caudecoste, marking a new milestone in its development. The 7 MWc plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
Chinese manufacturer JinkoSolar has delivered three energy storage systems totalling 21.6 MWh to the American company Distributed Energy Infrastructure, as part of the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) programme aimed at strengthening local solar infrastructure.
TotalEnergies ENEOS has commissioned two photovoltaic installations totalling 1.2 MWp for marine logistics group Lee Huat Yap Kee in Singapore, under two long-term power purchase agreements with no upfront investment.
TCL Solar has concluded two exclusive partnerships in Suzhou with AU Solar and Madina Solar to supply 250 megawatts of photovoltaic modules to the Pakistani market, addressing rapidly growing local energy demand.
Mitrex secures Guinness Record for the largest integrated solar facade globally, combining photovoltaics and cultural art in Edmonton, covering over 30,000 square feet with installed capacity exceeding 265 kW.
EDF power solutions completes the acquisition of the 500MW Gate Burton solar-battery project from the company Low Carbon, strengthening its presence in hybrid photovoltaic-storage solutions in the United Kingdom.
The global photovoltaic films market is expected to see significant growth, reaching $41.59bn by 2034 due to the development of new solar technologies and the increasing demand for encapsulation suited to these innovations, a recent study indicates.
Italian group Plenitude has begun building Entrenúcleos, a 200 MW photovoltaic plant near Seville, set to deliver more than 435 GWh a year from 2026 while trialling locally produced green steel.
The state-controlled refiner has launched a 7.5-megawatt photovoltaic unit off Qingdao, the country’s first commercial installation designed for fully saline waters, intended to supply its future renewable hydrogen production.
Emerging economies from the BRICS group now account for more than half of global solar electricity production in 2024, driven mainly by China, India, and Brazil, according to a new report by the organisation Ember.
Star Trade, a subsidiary of HD Renewable Energy, has signed a power purchase agreement with Lightsource bp to manage electricity distribution from a 115 MWp solar project located in Chiayi, strengthening their presence in the Taiwanese market.
TotalEnergies will develop a 1.8 MW photovoltaic installation for Daehwa Pharmaceutical, covering approximately 20% of the annual energy requirements of the production site located in Hoengseong-gun, South Korea, under a 20-year agreement.
Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners announces full operational launch of Cleve Hill Solar Park, now becoming the largest active photovoltaic power plant in the United Kingdom with a total installed capacity reaching 373 MW.
European photovoltaic module manufacturer BISOL is integrating G12R solar cells into its product range, replacing the former M10 cells, to improve product performance and technological competitiveness starting from the second quarter of 2025.
Adani Green Energy Limited becomes the first Indian company to achieve 15,539.9 MW of operational renewable capacity, cementing its position among the global top 10 independent green power producers.
Italian group Pronur establishes itself in Saudi Arabia with support from AstroLabs, aiming to provide advanced technologies in the renewable energy sector and develop new industrial partnerships.
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. announces the launch of a $2mn public offering to finance working capital, product development and general expenses.