The largest island community within Niagara River has a new 5.5-MW community solar project now delivering carbon-free electricity into the local grid.
Nautilus Solar Energy developed the project in Grand Island, New York. It will supply renewable energy to 850 local subscribers and a commercial business within the National Grid utility territory.
With an expected annual output of 8.35 million kWh, the project has the potential to offset nearly 6,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to removing 1,400 cars from the road.
Nautilus, as the project’s long-term owner, will manage energy production and customer subscriptions.
Grand Island is home to about 21,000 residents. Adjacent communities include Niagara Falls, Canada, and Fort Erie, Canada.
The initiative supports New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), which requires 70 percent of the state’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030. The project also aligns with the Act’s goal of ensuring that a portion of renewable energy benefits disadvantaged and low-to-moderate-income communities.
Nautilus has positioned New York as its largest community solar market, with nearly 200 MW in development and operation, serving approximately 16,000 subscribers. The state is home to numerous community solar projects, including farms built or being by developed by KeyState Renewables, SolarBank, PureSky Energy, Altus Power and Empire State Realty Trust, among others.
The company also has developed other community solar projects nationwide, including a colalboration with TurningPoint Energy in Illinois. Nautilus Solar Energy also recently commenced operations on a community solar farm at a former U.S. Defense site in New York (pictured above).
Community solar is considered as an affordable and more direct entry point for consumers wanting to invest in affordable renewable energy. The subscriptions can help them reduce energy bills via credits, and the projects are less expensive than residential rooftop solar and less remote than many utility-scale farms.
