NY-Sun Initiative Supports Construction of 2.9 Megawatt (MW) Solar Array that Advances State Energy Goals and College’s Commitment to Clean Energy.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Ithaca College today announced that construction is underway on a 2.9 megawatt (MW) solar electric project that will provide enough electricity to meet approximately 10 percent of the college’s energy needs. The project will produce clean, renewable and sustainable energy for the college, lower its energy costs and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Richard Kauffman, Chair of Energy and Finance for New York State, said, “Increasing the use of solar energy is a critical component of Governor Cuomo's Reforming the Energy vision, and through our NY-Sun initiative, the State has achieved unprecedented solar growth. I applaud the efforts of Ithaca College, along with those of residents, businesses and organizations across New York, whose solar projects help us achieve our aggressive renewable energy goals, combat climate change and build a clean energy economy.”
The Ithaca College project, which is expected to be completed by summer, will feature a solar array of more than 9,000 panels on 15 acres of land in the Town of Seneca, Ontario County, approximately 40 miles from campus. The solar installation will generate an estimated 3.55 million kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first year of operation, the equivalent of powering 500 average-sized homes in New York. The solar panels will offset 888 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents annually, which is comparable to taking 187 cars off the road.
“This is a significant milestone in the history of Ithaca College, and in our commitment to sustainability,” said President Tom Rochon. “We are proud to be making this tremendous leap forward in environmental stewardship on behalf of our students, faculty, staff and alumni as well as the wider community in which we all live.”
John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), said, “Through NY-Sun and other clean energy initiatives, New York supports solar and renewable energy projects that advance Governor Cuomo’s energy agenda in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing locally produced power. We commend Ithaca College on its strong commitment to ensuring a clean energy future that will benefit the campus and local community for many years.”
Today's announcement complements the Southern Tier's blueprint to develop an advanced regional economy – attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. An historic $500 million State investment in the Southern Tier through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015, is leveraging more than $2.5 billion in private investment, creating thousands of jobs and generating billions in economic activity.
The project received funding through the Governor’s $1 billion NY-Sun initiative, which is designed to build a self-sustaining solar industry in New York and help to achieve strategic energy goals under REV and the Clean Energy Standard, which requires that by 2030, 50 percent of electricity generated in New York come from renewable sources. In this year’s State of the State Address, the Governor announced a goal to deploy solar panels on 150,000 new homes and businesses by 2020.
Partners involved in this project include: Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.,Greenwood Energy and OneEnergy Renewables.
In 2007, then-President of Ithaca College Peggy R. Williams signed the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment, pledging that the college would develop a strategy and long-range plan to achieve carbon neutrality. In the fall of 2009, the Ithaca College Board of Trustees approved the Climate Action Plan, setting that strategy into motion and committing the college to becoming 100 percent carbon neutral by 2050.
“This solar power purchase agreement will reduce the college’s greenhouse gas emissions by three percent compared to the baseline year of 2007, completing one of the objectives listed in the Climate Action Plan,” said Gerald Hector, Ithaca College vice president for finance and administration. “We are also excited by the educational opportunities the project will provide, since the system will be available for student and faculty research purposes.”
Ithaca College offers over 100 sustainability-focused courses, and is one of only 52 institutions to receive a Gold rating in STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. For six straight years, the college has been named in the Princeton Review’s list of top “green” colleges. In 2011, Ithaca College became just the second academic institution in the world to have two newly constructed buildings earn a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council when the Peggy Ryan Williams Center joined the Dorothy D. and Roy H. Park Center for Business and Sustainable Enterprise in achieving that designation. The Athletics & Events Center and Classroom Link corridor have both earned LEED Gold. Additional information on Ithaca College’s green initiatives is available at: www.ithaca.edu/sustainability
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About NY-Sun
NY-Sun is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s $1 billion initiative to advance the scale-up of solar and move New York State closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry. The growth of solar in the State increased more than 300 percent from 2011 to 2014, twice the rate of U.S. solar growth overall.NY-Sun web site.
About Reforming the Energy Vision
Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) is New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. REV is transforming New York’s energy policy with new state-wide initiatives and regulatory reforms. REV will grow the state’s clean energy economy, support innovation, ensure grid resilience, mobilize private capital, create new jobs, and increase choice and affordability for energy consumers. REV places clean, locally produced power at the very core of New York’s energy system. This protects the environment and supports the State’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% while generating 50% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. Successful initiatives already launched as part of REV include NY-Sun, NY Green Bank, NY Prize, K-Solar, and a commitment to improve energy affordability for low-income communities. To learn more about REV, visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us @REV4NY.