Washington Gas Energy Systems Inc. and Skidmore College today announced the completion of a solar project that will generate renewable energy in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The college will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the completion of 2,085-kW solar array. Attendees at today’s event include U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko; John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); local officials from Saratoga Springs and Greenfield, N.Y.; members of the Skidmore College community and representatives from Washington Gas Energy Systems and Dynamic Energy.
“Working with Skidmore College is part of a strategic expansion into New York, and we anticipate that this project will be the first of many solar and distributed generation projects in the state,” said Sanjiv Mahan, chief operating officer of Washington Gas Energy Systems. “We are committed to working with educational institutions, municipalities and other organizations across the country to reduce their carbon footprints and improve the environment while stabilizing energy costs.”
The system will generate 2,600,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year over the course of a 20-year power purchase agreement, enough to meet 11 percent of Skidmore’s energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 412 cars off the road each year.
“This installation responds to the pressing need for environmentally responsible, cost-effective energy for our campus operations, and it exemplifies our strategic commitment to sustainability,” said Philip A. Glotzbach, president of Skidmore College. “We are grateful for the support provided by Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative, without which this project would not have been possible.”
The solar array consists of 6,950 ground-mounted solar panels spanning eight acres of land owned by Skidmore College. Dynamic Energy developed the project and also managed engineering, procurement and construction. Construction began in March and the project was completed in July.
This project was made possible with support from the NY-Sun Competitive PV Program through NYSERDA. NY-Sun is a $1 billion initiative of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to advance the scale-up of solar and move the state closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry. The program provides financial support for the development of photovoltaic projects at customer sites that stabilize long-term electricity costs and generate no greenhouse gas emissions.
Through the Sustainable Skidmore initiative, the college has a number of other environmental projects ranging from composting programs to energy conservation events. Thirty campus buildings have geothermal heating and cooling systems.
“The Dynamic Energy team congratulates Skidmore College on hosting this solar system,” said Michael Perillo, CEO of Dynamic Energy. “The college’s support of renewable energy reflects a true dedication to the students, faculty and staff of Skidmore, as well as their community. We are proud to partner with Skidmore, NYSERDA and Washington Gas Energy Systems on this exceptional solar project.”
Washington Gas Energy Systems now owns and operates 45 projects in 11 states across the country, totaling approximately 54 MW.
— Solar Builder magazine
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