ITHACA — Ithaca College and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have recently signed a memorandum of understanding that will allow the state to explore the feasibility of hosting build-ready renewable-energy projects on underutilized sites. Under the agreement, NYSERDA will consider several parking lots at Ithaca College as hosts for solar […]
ITHACA — Ithaca College and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have recently signed a memorandum of understanding that will allow the state to explore the feasibility of hosting build-ready renewable-energy projects on underutilized sites. Under the agreement, NYSERDA will consider several parking lots at Ithaca College as hosts for solar canopies that will provide shade for vehicles while generating clean energy and supporting clean transportation with the potential integration of electric-vehicle chargers and battery-energy storage systems, according to an April 24 NYSERDA news release. NYSERDA also announced memorandums of understanding with the City of Niagara Falls in Western New York and the Town of East Hampton on Long Island. The Ithaca College project would benefit students while supporting the college’s goal to improve the campus environmental, social, and financial sustainability and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. “Ithaca College (IC) is continually seeking creative solutions to advance both its environmental and financial sustainability goals,” Scott D. Doyle, director of energy management and sustainability at Ithaca College, said in the release. “NYSERDA’s Build-Ready Program presents us with an ideal public partner to help us spark impactful campus energy and sustainability action. IC is grateful for the opportunity to work with NYSERDA to explore the potential for solar canopy development on campus and to help us share with the college community how this technology can help IC in its path toward carbon neutrality.” The agreement allows NYSERDA’s Build-Ready Program to conduct further due diligence and community engagement to evaluate the prospects of multiple large-scale renewable-energy projects. If there is local acceptance, strong project feasibility, and agreement to move forward, NYSERDA will initiate development activities including detailed engineering, interconnection, and permitting. The Build-Ready Program is currently advancing a pipeline of sites across the state, having screened more than 17,000 locations, and is progressing dozens of sites through more advanced assessment and development. Local community members, elected officials, private companies, environmental justice communities, and other interested parties can nominate potential sites, which are considered on a rolling basis. More information about the program is available at www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Build-Ready-Program. NYSERDA is a public benefit corporation that offers information, analysis, programs, technical expertise, and funding to increase energy efficiency.