Solar Solutions
Community Solar: Clean Energy for Everyone
The Croton Community Solar Project, launched in 2020, is bringing renewable energy to residents without the need for solar panels on their rooftops.
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What is Community Solar?
Not everyone has a roof suitable for solar panels, but everyone can access the benefits of solar energy by subscribing to a community solar farm.
In 2018, Croton-on-Hudson purchased a 14,000-square-foot warehouse to transform into a modern Public Works facility. The old garage, located just three feet above mean high tide on the Hudson River, was prone to flooding during storms like Hurricane Sandy. The new location is elevated, spacious, and perfect for supporting a community solar project.
The Journey to Solar
In 2019, the Village issued a proposal for a solar project on the facility's roof. Ecogy Energy won the bid with a plan that included:
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Roof repairs to ensure durability (shown by the white sealant in the photo).
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A focus on providing low-cost solar energy to local residents.
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Priority subscriptions for low- to moderate-income households.
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A 10% discount on electricity compared to the local utility rates.
Construction, briefly delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions, resumed in June 2020. Within just two weeks, 50 local households subscribed to the project, with one-third identifying as low- to moderate-income.​
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Croton Community Solar project under construction in June 2020, just after we were allowed to resume construction activities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic..
CASE STUDY
Community Solar
PROJECT SPECS:​
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System size: 302.175 kWdc (765 Hanwha 395 watt modules with P860 SolarEdge optimizers)
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Mounting: SnapNRack Ultra Rail with seam clamps for the standing seam metal roof.
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Year installed: 2020
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Electricity production: 344,000 kilowatt-hours per year
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Total Lease Payments to the Village: $726,461 over the 27-year term of the contract