With Oak Orchard Solar 3 LLC’s 5-megawatt project in the town of Batavia on the GCEDC Board of Directors Aug. 3 meeting agenda, the cumulative impact of solar energy projects advanced by the GCEDC is already shining bright.

23 solar energy generation projects have been reviewed by the GCEDC Board of Directors since 2019 for a total proposed investment that now exceeds $1 billion.

Ranging from 1.65-megawatts to 500-megawatts, these projects advance New York’s green energy grid, add construction jobs to our region, and enhance municipal revenues.

Revenue Grows Through Cooperation

While some of the biggest investments in Genesee County history include green hydrogen generation at STAMP, the role our agency takes with solar farms is unique. Landowners contract with developers, local and state organizations oversee siting, and the GCEDC serves as a negotiator for strong local revenue alongside our municipal partners.

This cooperation has led to strong returns. Project agreements approved for the 500-megawatt Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC proposed $73.5 million in revenues across the host municipalities of Elba and Oakfield, the Elba and Oakfield-Alabama schools, and Genesee County.

Towns, schools, and Genesee County are projected to receive $127.4 million of revenue generated across all projects.

Projects Adds to Green Portfolio

Genesee County’s solar farm projects represent a strong portfolio of renewable energy on top of the high-capacity, reliable, and 100% renewable energy that flows across Genesee County.

With 2,600-megawatts generated at the Niagara Power Project, the 860-megawatts (AC) of solar generation planned in Genesee County is a robust part of an upstate energy production network. The New York Independent System Operator reports New York’s Upstate Energy Zones generated over 58,000 gigawatt hours of non-gas, non-oil energy in 2022.

It adds up to an environment where projects planning over 700 green manufacturing jobs and $1 billion of investments have been announced at STAMP.