Constellation Completes Largest Solar Installation Under NY-Sun Initiative

On October 15, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Constellation celebrated the completion of a 2.7-megawatt (DC) solar generation project at Owens Corning’s thermal and acoustical insulation plant in Delmar, NY.

The solar installation, which is the largest project to date under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s NY-Sun Initiative, is designed to supply approximately 6 percent of the plant’s annual electricity needs. Constellation financed, built, owns and maintains the solar power system. Electricity generated by the system is purchased by Owens Corning under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation. The project helps support Owens Corning’s 2020 Environmental Footprint Goals.

Gary Fromer, senior vice president, energy management programs for Constellation, said, “Solar as a power-generation source is an attractive option for large-scale manufacturers like Owens Corning to achieve environmental goals and manage electricity costs. We applaud Owens Corning for being at the forefront of solar development in New York and Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun Competitive Photovoltaic Program for creating the public-private initiatives that help make projects like this possible.”

The solar power system is composed of approximately 9,000 ground-mounted, photovoltaic panels located on more than nine acres (see photo at the top). The system is expected to generate approximately 3.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year (based on first year production). Generating the same amount of electricity using nonrenewable sources would result in the release of approximately 2,339 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent emissions from 487 passenger vehicles annually, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data for the region.

Constellation owns and operates more than 147 megawatts of solar installations that have been completed or are under construction for commercial and government customers throughout the United States. By structuring its solar projects as power purchase agreements or solar services agreements, Constellation offers solar installations that may require no upfront capital from customers and may provide fixed power costs that are less than projected market rates.

Constellation commercial customers, universities, school systems, hospitals and government agencies interested in on-site solar installations of 1 megawatt or larger may contact Constellation at sustainable-solutions@constellation.com or 1-877-427-2005.