Solar energy in New York got a big boost with the announcement of a $950 million contract to construct the state’s largest solar farm, and the program has now broken ground, according to PV Magazine . Greenbacker Renewable Energy secured the deal to build the 500-megawatt installation in Genesee County. Work has already begun, and the project is scheduled to come online in 2026.
The scheme is one of 23 major projects that New York State Governor Kathy Hochul greenlit to provide 2.3 gigawatts of clean energy in December 2024. The Empire State is targeting to get 70% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 .
As the fastest-growing renewable energy source in the country, solar energy will be a key part of realizing that ambition. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, solar energy capacity nationwide was projected to grow by 38% from 2023 to 2024…