PowerBank Corporation has secured all required municipal approvals for two 14.4 MW community solar projects in Skaneateles, New York, representing a significant advancement in the state's renewable energy expansion. The projects, which include variances, site plan approval, and a special use permit, now await final approval from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation before construction can begin. This development marks a critical step forward in implementing New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which aims to achieve 6 GW of solar capacity by 2025.
The solar installations will be constructed on industrial brownfield sites in Onondaga County within the Finger Lakes region, representing an environmentally beneficial reuse of land with limited economic potential. This approach demonstrates the growing momentum behind repurposing underutilized industrial land for renewable energy generation, contributing to both environmental sustainability and local economic development. The successful development of brownfield sites for solar generation sets a precedent for similar projects across the state and beyond, showing how contaminated or abandoned industrial properties can be transformed into productive clean energy assets.
Once operational, the projects will feed clean energy into the grid while providing subscribers with monthly credits on their electricity bills through the community solar model. Community solar projects like these enable residents and businesses to benefit from solar power without installing panels on their own properties, making renewable energy more accessible while supporting the state's ambitious climate targets. This model addresses one of the key barriers to solar adoption by allowing people who cannot install rooftop solar—whether due to shading, roof orientation, or financial constraints—to participate in the clean energy transition.
The advancement of these projects comes at a critical time as New York continues to accelerate its transition to clean energy sources. PowerBank Corporation, a developer and owner of renewable energy projects specializing in distributed and community solar initiatives across North America, maintains a portfolio of more than 100 MW of completed projects and a 1 GW development pipeline. The company's progress in Skaneateles demonstrates how strategic project development on appropriate sites can advance both environmental and economic objectives simultaneously. Additional information about the company's developments is available at https://ibn.fm/yLdyR.
These projects represent more than just additional megawatts of solar capacity—they exemplify a sustainable development approach that addresses multiple community needs. By transforming brownfield sites into productive solar farms, the projects help remediate underutilized land while generating clean energy and providing economic benefits to local subscribers. This integrated approach to renewable energy development aligns with broader trends in sustainable infrastructure that seek to maximize environmental, social, and economic benefits through thoughtful project siting and community engagement models.
