Troy solar array completed

Installation sits on Landfill Road atop former city dump

The city has used $780,000 in state grant money to install 8,000 solar panels on its longclosed city dump off Landfill Road in South Troy.

Mayor Patrick Madden celebrated the completion of the project Thursday for the solar array on the 14.5-acre dump site. The panels can generate up to 2.6 megawatts of electricity daily to meet about half of the city government’s use of electricity.

“While our federal government remains in the grip of special interests, in New York state, in the city of Troy, we are getting things done,” Madden said.

The state funds came from the New York State Research and Development Authority’s NY-SUN Program, a $1.8 billion program supporting investment in solar power.

“We all know climate change is real. We know we need to make changes. We know renewable energy is our future,” Assemblyman John Mcdonald, D-cohoes, said.

Nextera Energy Resources built and is operating the project.

These is the second time that the city has installed solar panels at the landfill in addition to other city-owned sites. The city previously erected 2.1 megawatt generating panels that included more than 6,700 solar panels.

Standing outside the entrance to former landfill was Lori Jubic who lives on Sherman Avenue next to the property. Jubic was protesting the siting of

some of the solar panels that she said were placed closer to her home than the city said they would be and the noise coming off the electrical panels and boxes for the site.

“I’m glad they’re doing this. I just don’t want them in back of my house,” said Jubic, who has solar panels on the roof of her home.

Madden said trees have

been planted to block the site of the panels from Jubic’s house. The mayor said that work was halted on the project when it was determined that panels were going to be installed too close to the Jubic property and the plans redrawn.

Wiring is seen under thousands of solar panels as the city of Troy celebrates the completion of Phase II of the city’s solar energy array on Thursday. At left, protester Lori Jubic stands at the entrance to Thursday’s news conference. Jubic, who has solar panels on her own home, isn’t opposed to panels. She said the solar farm was built too close to her home, and she can hear it running. She says it will lower the resale price of her home.

Photos by Lori Van Buren / Times Union Officials celebrate the end of Phase II of Troy’s solar energy array at the former Troy landfill Thursday. The panels can generate up to 2.6 megawatts of electricity daily to meet about half of the city government’s use of electricity.