New York’s largest solar energy generating facility is online and operational.
The Morris Ridge Solar project is a 177-megawatt solar field, generating enough electricity to power 47,000 homes. It is the first grid-scale project in service and contributing to New York’s clean energy goals. The project is expected to generate $1 million in new revenue for the town of Mount Morris in its first year.
Haylee Ferington, community relations manager for project developer EDF Renewables, said the added revenue should have many benefits.
“The local town can do things like invest in their roadways or local infrastructure,” Ferington suggested. “For the school districts, they can keep teachers on or keep music programs going. And for fire districts, those monies can go to new equipment that’s very needed and costly.”
The project comes as the state likely will not reach its 2030 renewable energy goals, at least partly because many projects face funding challenges or misinformation about clean energy. Ferington pointed out the solar project was no exception, especially because it was the first of its kind. She noted the challenges included figuring out how to build a grid-scale project, which permits would be needed, and more.
Given its scale, the project can generate electricity for Livingston and Wyoming counties. Feedback from Mount Morris residents and elected officials has been positive, although Ferington acknowledged people were curious along the way about the project’s construction effects.
“Normal questions would come up, such as why are there extra delivery trucks going down my road that I may not have seen before?” Ferington recounted. “We were able to discuss the transportation routes and we worked on those with the school districts.”
She added they worked with the nearby Amish and Mennonite communities to ensure the project did not interfere with religious travel or educational traffic in summer.
Edwin is a reporter and producer in North Tonawanda, New York. He’s previously reported for the Niagara Gazette and the Ithaca Times. Edwin got an early start in radio interning for WBFO-88.7FM, NPR’s Buffalo affiliate. In 2018, he graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a B.A. in Journalism, and in 2022, graduated from Syracuse University with an M.S. in Communications.