Solar

While I certainly welcome lower-cost solar panels, and would most certainly include solar power when I own my off-grid homestead, I am deeply concerned about the tens of thousands, and soon to be hundreds of thousands of acres of land being developed for industrial solar farms across the state. Information both on solar farms and smaller, more appropriate uses of solar technology.

Mitigating the risk of fire on utility scale solar facilities

Mitigating the risk of fire on utility scale solar facilities

The average sized 100MW solar farm hosting around 300,000 to +400,000 solar panels (modules) will generally have over 1,000,000 physical made electrical terminations. Each one of these terminations operates at around 1500 Volts and each termination could fail. 

Electrical equipment failure is well known to be linked to situations where we can observe abnormally high temperatures. Fire, sparking, arching or melting exposes electrical equipment to further damage and degradation exacerbated as moisture ingress occurs. Electrical failure can occur due to various factors and although the commonly seen issue will generally arise due to high resistive joints it is not uncommon to observe how the environment impacts equipment overtime. Electrical termination temperatures can reach over 120° Celsius, under these conditions, equipment will begin to deteriorate, over time plastics will have already begun to deform or melt and visible signs or smells will be present. Mismanagement, poor quality equipment and installation practices or lack of scheduled maintenance is generally what leads to these situations. Thorough and regular maintenance procedures can control these issues including addressing performance degradation, system dropouts, inverter failure/faults and lost yield. 

...

Been investigating capacity factors for solar farms in New York. The math isn’t hard, as you just have to get production data from the Electricity data browser, divided by the number of hours in a month, and then by the nameplate capacity of the power plant.
 
For example, for DG Bethlehem Solar West at Selkirk Railyard is a 1,000 kW nameplate industrial solar facility, but in reality the output is far below nameplate as there is night time, clouds, and snow. This facility has a capacity factor of 18.7% or about 187 kW average output. But the capacity factor rises to closer to 30% during the June and July but falls to around 8% in December and January.
 
A comparison could be made to PSEG Bethlehem Energy Center, a natural gas plant with a nameplate capacity of 893,100 kW nameplate with a capacity factor of 69.2% or an average output of 580,731 kW. This could be higher, but it’s a mid-market plant so they shut it down or run it at reduced output during times of low-energy demand.
 
To generate as much electricity PSEG Bethlehem Energy Center over the April 2016 – December 2019 time period, it would have taken 3,100 industrial solar facilities the size of DG Bethlehem Solar West.

Planned Industrial Solar Facilities in New York State 🌞 🏭

Planned Industrial Solar Facilities in New York State 🌞 🏭

A listing of proposed projects reported to the Energy Information Agency’s June 24, 2021 report. This listing is sorted by the year and month that these large-scale industrial facilities are expected to be online by and the status of their regulatory approvals.

Data Source: Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory, April 2021. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860m/

Plant Name Entity Name Nameplate Capacity (MW) Planned Operation Month Planned Operation Year Status County Latitude Longitude Google Map Bing Map
West Valley West BQ Energy LLC 5.0 8 2021 (L) Regulatory approvals pending. Not under construction Cattaraugus 42.442927 -78.632140 Map Map
West Valley East BQ Energy LLC 5.0 9 2021 (L) Regulatory approvals pending. Not under construction Cattaraugus 42.443632 -78.632130 Map Map
Route 5 & 20 Community Solar Farm Delaware River Solar, LLC 2.3 10 2021 (L) Regulatory approvals pending. Not under construction Ontario 42.899000 -77.461000 Map Map
Telegraph Rd #1 Community Solar Farm Delaware River Solar, LLC 3.8 11 2021 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Wyoming 42.561672 -78.179530 Map Map
Telegraph Rd #2 Community Solar Farm Delaware River Solar, LLC 2.0 11 2021 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Wyoming 42.559475 -78.179410 Map Map
Route 19 #1 Community Solar Farm Delaware River Solar, LLC 2.0 11 2021 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Wyoming 42.534000 -78.151000 Map Map
Route 19 #2 Community Solar Farm Delaware River Solar, LLC 5.0 11 2021 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Wyoming 42.533807 -78.153770 Map Map
Yellow Mills Rd #1 Community Solar Farm Delaware River Solar, LLC 2.3 11 2021 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Ontario 43.017848 -77.260490 Map Map
Yellow Mills Rd #2 Community Solar Farm Delaware River Solar, LLC 2.3 11 2021 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Ontario 43.016419 -77.260910 Map Map
Yellow Mills Rd #3 Community Solar Farm Delaware River Solar, LLC 2.3 11 2021 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Ontario 43.015301 -77.260660 Map Map
State Route 64N Community Solar Farm Delaware River Solar, LLC 1.2 11 2021 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Ontario 42.915000 -77.454000 Map Map
Mt Pleasant Community Center Consolidated Edison Solutions Inc 0.5 11 2021 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Westchester 41.099990 -73.771550 Map Map
SunEast Watkins Road Solar Project SunEast Watkins Road Solar LLC 20.0 1 2022 (OT) Other Herkimer 43.061270 -75.055840 Map Map
SunEast Skyline Solar Project SunEast Skyline Solar LLC 20.0 1 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Oneida 43.063069 -75.451950 Map Map
SunEast Dog Corners Solar Project SunEast Dog Corners Solar LLC 20.0 1 2022 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Cayuga 42.744301 -76.665310 Map Map
SunEast Hills Solar Project SunEast Hills Solar LLC 20.0 1 2022 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Herkimer 43.068296 -74.849230 Map Map
SunEast Clay Solar Project SunEast Clay Solar LLC 50.0 3 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Onondaga 43.192552 -76.173600 Map Map
Deiter-STEU Abundant Solar Power Inc. 2.2 4 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Steuben 42.552725 -77.617910 Map Map
Gibson-STEU Abundant Solar Power Inc. 11.5 4 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Steuben 42.055126 -77.187140 Map Map
Wheaton-STEU Abundant Solar Power Inc. 5.0 4 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Steuben 42.555822 -77.417010 Map Map
SunEast Valley Solar Project SunEast Valley Solar LLC 20.0 5 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Tioga 42.083795 -76.247700 Map Map
SunEast Grassy Knoll Solar Project SunEast Grassy Knoll Solar LLC 20.0 5 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Herkimer 43.065379 -74.843720 Map Map
SunEast Limestone Solar Project SunEast Limestone Solar LLC 20.0 5 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Fulton 43.017443 -74.252960 Map Map
SunEast Fariway Solar Project SunEast Fairway Solar LLC 20.0 5 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated St Lawrence 44.635163 -75.441180 Map Map
SunEast Highview Solar Project SunEast Highview Solar LLC 20.0 5 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Wyoming 42.700347 -77.996720 Map Map
SunEast Hilltop Solar Project SunEast Hilltop Solar LLC 20.0 5 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Rensselaer 42.808607 -73.640460 Map Map
SunEast Flat Hill Solar Project SunEast Flat Hill Solar LLC 20.0 5 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Herkimer 43.044363 -74.796320 Map Map
SunEast Manchester Solar Project SunEast Manchester Solar LLC 20.0 5 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Ontario 42.958318 -77.195030 Map Map
Hecate Energy Gedney Hill Hecate Energy Gedney Hill LLC 20.0 6 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Albany 42.451733 -73.892840 Map Map
Hecate Energy Albany County 1 Hecate Energy Albany 1 LLC 20.0 6 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Albany 42.515459 -73.833450 Map Map
Holley Road Solar Empire Community Solar LLC 20.0 9 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Orleans 43.174056 -78.031010 Map Map
SunEast Tabletop Solar Project SunEast Tabletop Solar LLC 80.0 10 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Montgomery 42.959500 -74.566800 Map Map
Mohawk Solar Avangrid Renewables LLC 90.5 11 2022 (T) Regulatory approvals received. Not under construction Montgomery 42.887133 -74.637810 Map Map
Coxsackie Solar FPS Coxsackie Solar LLC 4.9 12 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Greene 42.333370 -73.847500 Map Map
Bald Mountain Solar Bald Mountain Solar LLC 20.0 12 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Washington 43.135200 -73.564700 Map Map
Bakerstand Solar (NY) Bakerstand Solar LLC 20.0 10 2023 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Cattaraugus 42.344206 -78.478420 Map Map
Hecate Energy Columbia County Solar Hecate Energy LLC 60.0 11 2023 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Columbia 42.175027 -73.590390 Map Map
Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC 500.0 12 2023 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Genesee 43.104039 -78.234650 Map Map
Shepherd’s Run Solar Shepherd’s Run Solar 60.0 12 2023 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Columbia 42.161410 -73.574530 Map Map
Greens Corners Solar Greens Corners Solar 120.0 12 2023 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Jefferson 43.935900 -75.972680 Map Map
Potic Solar FPS Potic Solar LLC 4.9 12 2024 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Greene 42.295590 -73.901200 Map Map

Albany County Industrial Solar Facilities 🌞 🏭

Albany County Industrial Solar Facilities 🌞 🏭

Here is a listing of the industrial solar facilities currently operating in Albany County.

Plant Name Entity Name Nameplate Capacity (MW) Operating Month Operating Year Latitude Longitude Google Map Bing Map
Owens Corning at Bethlehem Constellation Solar Holding, LLC 2.0 10 2013 42.586944 -73.865000 Map Map
Bethlehem – East DG Bethlehem Solar, LLC 1.7 3 2016 42.539006 -73.824300 Map Map
Bethlehem – West DG Bethlehem Solar, LLC 1.0 3 2016 42.539006 -73.824300 Map Map
Guildlerland CSG Forefront Power, LLC 2.0 12 2018 42.727288 -74.000810 Map Map
Knaggs Brothers Farm Dynamic Energy Solutions, LLC 3.9 12 2018 42.730350 -73.969100 Map Map
Bethlehem Solar Forefront Power, LLC 1.7 6 2019 42.601145 -73.887420 Map Map
Westerlo NY 1 Westerlo NY 1, LLC 2.0 1 2020 42.438220 -74.015890 Map Map
Medusa NY 1 Medusa NY 1, LLC 2.0 6 2020 42.466286 -74.099530 Map Map

Below is the listing of two additional proposed industrial solar facilities for Albany County.

Plant Name Entity Name Nameplate Capacity (MW) Planned Operation Month Planned Operation Year Status County Latitude Longitude Google Map Bing Map
Hecate Energy Gedney Hill Hecate Energy Gedney Hill LLC 20.0 6 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Albany 42.451733 -73.892840 Map Map
Hecate Energy Albany County 1 Hecate Energy Albany 1 LLC 20.0 6 2022 (P) Planned for installation, but regulatory approvals not initiated Albany 42.515459 -73.833450 Map Map

Data Source: Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory, April 2021. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860m/

Operating and Under Construction Industrial Solar Facilties in New York State – April 2021

This interactive map shows currently operating (green), under construction more then 50% complete (yellow), under construction less then 50% complete (red) industrial solar facilities (multi-acre, 1+ MW nameplate) in New York State as of April 2021, as reported by the Energy Information Agency as of June 24, 2021 -- there is a two month lag in the data for compilation and error checking.

Data Source: Energy Information Agency, Preliminary Monthly Electricity Generator Facilities EIA-860M, Released June 24, 2021. Get the data: eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860m

Doesn’t seem really necessary for county to contract out to build out solar for government uses β˜€οΈ

Doesn’t seem really necessary for county to contract out to build out solar for government uses β˜€οΈ

I was reading a county legislator’s post the other day, and he was highlighting what another county was doing with a contract to a privately owned solar farm to provide renewable energy to county office buildings at a fixed price. While it seemed like a good idea in principal, it seemed also an wasteful example of government privatization.

So much of cost of solar these days isn’t the equipment, but of the labor to install solar panels and make the electrical connections up to code. But the thing is county governments already employ workers in Department of Public Works that have strong backs and are familiar with building maintenance and repairs. They can probably mount panels, including custom fabrication of any kind of stand or bracket the county would need for a solar installation. Moreover, county governments inevitably have small fleet of electricians on the payroll to fix common electrical problems in county buildings, and are fully qualified to make the connections between solar panels and the buildings’ existing electrical infrastructure. For design of system, they can contract out, but they don’t need to rely on external help when county employees can do it cheaper.

The county might be hesitant to plunk down a bunch of money for panels and electrical interconnection equipment, but they can bond them, especially if they have clear evidence of the savings in the out-years. By the county buying equipment directly, installing it and maintaining it in-house, this will make solar much more profitable for county in future. Why pay a separate electrician, when the county’s own staff can be dispatched to fix any problems with their panels? With so much of the cost of solar being labor these days, using county labor for solar panels on county buildings, it makes sense for county to purchase panels and supporting equipment themselves as a tax-exempt entity, and use existing labor in-house to install and maintain the system.