NY Power Authority's Largest Solar Array Unveiled at Hudson City Schools in Capital District

Hudson Schools’ New Solar Panels to Provide Clean, Renewable Energy, Lower Energy Costs and Reduce Greenhouse Gases

For Immediate Release: 5/9/18

Contact: NYPA Media Relations | 914-681-6770 | Media.Inquiries@nypa.gov

Advancing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s aggressive effort to make renewable energy an affordable and accessible option, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) today unveiled its largest-to-date solar array installation at the Hudson Junior/Senior High School in Hudson, N.Y., in Columbia County, enabling the district to lower its energy costs and carbon footprint. The clean energy initiative is part of Governor Cuomo's Reforming the Energy Vision strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.

“The Hudson school district is a leader in the Hudson Valley region as well as the rest of the state when it comes to taking initiative in the smart use of solar,” Gil C. Quiniones, President and CEO of NYPA, said. “NYPA is proud to unveil our largest solar project today as part of our long-term commitment to fighting climate change by promoting renewable energy use, and we are thrilled to help pass on the message of sustainability and clean energy technology to the next generation.”

 

The 1,216 kilowatt ground-mounted system incorporates a new power source into the district’s infrastructure and helps achieve the Governor’s statewide goal of having 50 percent of New York’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. The project is expected to save the school approximately $66,851 in energy costs each year. It is also estimated to offset more than 952.5 tons of CO2 each year, which is equivalent to removing more than 204 cars from the road.

 

Sangeeta Ranade, NYPA’s vice president of clean energy business and market development; Carrie Otty, president of the Hudson City School Board; and Dr. Maria Lagana Suttmeier, Hudson’s superintendent of schools, unveiled the new panels today behind the school, along with a dozen students in the high school’s new Alternative Energy class.

 

Hudson’s 3,816-panel system, which covers 5 acres and sits behind the junior/senior high school’s new running track, is expected to generate more than 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of solar electricity a year to offset the building’s electric load.

 

“We are pleased to have this solar array on district property to generate green electrical power for the Hudson Junior/Senior High School campus,” said Dr. Suttmeier. “Whenever we can engage in environmentally friendly activities or save taxpayer dollars, we are more than willing to do so. We are looking forward to the economic, environmental and educational benefits of this project."

 

The project was completed through the K-Solar program—administered by NYPA in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)—which aims to bring solar power to more public districts and non-public K-12 schools throughout the state. Last year solar PV arrays were completed for the Somers Middle School and Tarrytown school district, both in Westchester County, and construction is currently underway at the New York Institute in the Bronx. NYPA also provided assistance to Jefferson Lewis BOCES in Jefferson County to help expedite the permitting of their solar project.

NYPA currently has 50 megawatts of solar capacity in various stages of development at schools and other public buildings throughout the state. The goal is to have 125 megawatts in development by the end of 2020, achieving a 300 percent increase in distributed solar projects at public facilities statewide.

NYPA is also doubling its annual investments in energy efficiency and solar deployments to $300 million by 2019 to spark more clean, renewable energy projects at local municipalities, public facilities, and schools. As part of this investment, NYPA will conduct 1,000 energy efficiency and solar audits for municipalities and school districts by 2020 to help support prudent investments.

The school will be able to monitor the panel’s energy production live-time through a webpage that shows the kilowatt hours of energy produced each day, how much was consumed and the percent of energy that is offset by solar. The school, which recently began offering an alternative energy class, hopes to incorporate the real-time monitor and the solar panels into electricity lessons in the alternative energy and other classes. The K-Solar program offers training workshops for teachers to train them on incorporating clean energy lessons into their STEM curriculums. For more information on this program, contact solar@nypa.gov.

 

Hudson schools received energy advisory services from NYPA, site surveys, solar energy analyses and technical support, and was matched with a contracted solar developer to pursue installation. The district paid no upfront costs. The array will be owned, operated and maintained by the developer, Tesla, and the district will pay a fixed rate for the energy produced.

 

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA, said, “It’s exciting when we can provide the school with clean energy and its students with a hands-on learning experience with the solar arrays. Clean energy jobs in New York are growing under Governor Cuomo, so the more training we can provide today to students, the better prepared our clean energy workforce will be in the future.”

 

New York State Senator Kathy Marchione said: “Terrific things are happening in Hudson. Today's unveiling by the New York Power Authority of its largest solar array at the Hudson Junior/Senior High School is another example of how this forward-thinking community continues innovating, collaborating and making positive change. This project will help the district reduce its energy costs by harnessing clean, renewable and sustainable solar power. Today's announcement shows that it's possible to protect taxpayers and promote renewable energy. I want to recognize NYPA, NYSERDA, and the Hudson City School District in bringing this important project to fruition."

New York State Assemblywoman DiDi Barrett said: “The installation of the solar array at Hudson City Schools, a carbon neutral renewable energy project which will have enormous cost savings for the district, should instill great pride among the students and whole community.  The students' educational experience will be enhanced with the knowledge that their school is having a positive impact on the environment. Let this be a trendsetting partnership between the state and public schools across New York.  Congratulations to Hudson City High School, NYPA and NYSERDA.”

 

Hudson Mayor Rick Rector said: “The Hudson City School District has had quite a year with the opening of the new outdoor sports facility, construction on an addition to the middle school and a new solar project that will help lower energy costs and carbon footprint.  Forward thinking for our children and community!”

 

For more information, visit the K-Solar section of the NYPA website.

 

About NYPA:
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.

About Reforming the Energy Vision:
Reforming the Energy Vision is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York's economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency and requiring 50 percent of the state's electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030. REV is ensuring New York reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally recognized target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV, visit rev.ny.gov, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.