2022 Explored: Solar power

Ticonderoga solar — Site of a proposed solar installation on Veterans Road in Ticonderoga. Photo by Tim Rowland

Escalation of park projects develop, particularly in Ticonderoga

The Adirondack Park continued to draw the attention of solar developers and the state as New York looks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by no less than 85% by 2050 from 1990 levels. The state’s climate goals also include 6,000 megawatts of solar by 2025.

The Adirondack Park Agency has approved nine solar energy projects totaling 69 megawatts since the fall of 2020. It approved one project in 2020, three projects in 2021 and five projects this year.

Benson Mines aerial of solar project site — View to the west toward Star Lake near J&L (Jones & Laughlin) Steel Co. entrance. The proposed solar project site sits across State Route 3 from the former ore processing site known as the Benson Mine. The pond on the right is the former pit, now flooded. During the 1950s, the mine was considered the largest open pit mine in the world with over 800 employees. Star Lake is located where Route 3 disappears from view. Also visible is the Star Lake Solid Waste Transfer Station (white building on left side of Route 3), a mine tailing pile (directly across the highway from the transfer station), and a Department of Environmental Conservation boat washing station (small brown building, bottom center). Photo by Tom French

The APA approved a second 20-megawatt project in September and the state’s first “build read” solar project through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The 62,000 panels will be installed on 111 acres of an old mine tailings pile in St. Lawrence County across the street from a former federal Superfund site. It’s the largest solar panel installation approved in the park, aside from a 20-megawatt project APA approved in 2021 in the Town of Ticonderoga.

The majority of solar projects approved in the park thus far are concentrated near Ticonderoga in the Lake Champlain Valley. In February, the APA approved a fourth solar project in the town, followed by a fifth in March, and a sixth in May. In April, the APA approved a 1.5-megawatt project in nearby Crown Point.

State, local and even federal officials are still trying to find balance between protecting prime farmland where some of these solar installations are planned and supporting renewable energy projects. Some are working on a part of a solution by mapping the most likely places for solar arrays.

— Gwendolyn Craig

Environmental policy, in plain speak

Gwen breaks down the complex rules and regulations that govern the Adirondack Park. Sign up for her free weekly “Adirondack Report” newsletter

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Comments

CUT DOWN ALL OF THE FORESTS says
January 11, 2023 at 5:40 pm
CUT DOWN ALL OF THE FORESTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS TO INSTALL TECHNOLOGY EVERYWHERE! There’s no more point in tourists going to see THE ADIRONDACKS BECAUSE IT IS FRAGMENTED BY solar industry. Approve massive housing, shopping malls, and highways in the adirondacks. Destroy it all
Humans are trying to destroy all of nature, everywhere. HORRIBLE HUMAN SPECIES !
HUMANS; STOP MAKING BABIES! ENOUGH!
Dan Knuth says
March 24, 2023 at 7:29 am
I think there is a huge story that needs to be told as to why so many out of state and out of country solar developers are pouring into NY. We have so little sun- hours ( rated around 4% of average in the world) yet they are all coming here. What is the payoff attraction. I went to Denver where there are huge developments, tons of sun lite days and didn’t see any solar arrays from the air. ANY