Spa Solar Park launches this week at old landfill
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Spa Solar Park, a 2.5 megawatt solar array, launches this week at the old landfill on Weibel Avenue.
Onyx Renewable Partners L.P. worked on the nearly 8,000 solar panels since April. The official groundbreaking for the project was April 5.
In 2012, Sustainable Saratoga first presented the idea to the City Council. The project then began four years ago as part of the state’s NYSERDA Cleaner Greener Communities program.
The city did not provide funding for the project.
Onyx Renewable Partners stepped in to handle the contract after a bankruptcy prevented the previous company from moving forward with the solar farm.
Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan sponsored the project Sustainable Saratoga called Spa Solar Park Development because of its environmental and financial benefits.
“This is a win-win all around and we are very excited to see the project go live and start providing renewable solar energy. The landfill is City owned property with otherwise limited use,” said Madigan in a statement. “The project is environmentally sound. The solar panels will be sufficient to match approximately 40 percent of the city’s energy requirements. Energy cost stability is guaranteed for twenty years under a PPA and energy cost savings are ‘highly likely.’ ”
According to a press release, the Spa Solar Park is a remote net metering project through which the city will pay Onyx for the electricity produced by the solar panels. The electricity will be directed to National Grid and National Grid will in turn credit the City for amounts generated. The project is governed by a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) which includes a guaranteed rate. The city saves money when the PPA price is lower than the National Grid credit amount. It also has long range budgeting potential.
In April, Madigan said the project is the first phase of what is planned. The city continues to look for ways to help the climate and environment through smart, renewable energy projects, she said.
“A second phase is planned and that’s called ‘community solar,’ and that will be perhaps an additional, large solar park on the scale we’re talking about today that will be primarily for small businesses, residents, home owners, renters and nonprofit organizations.”
A ribbon-cutting and community celebration is scheduled for the public on Tuesday, Sept. 12.