(Hauppauge, NY) County Executive Steve Bellone today announced that SunEdison was selected from among 13 bidders to partner with Suffolk County in the PSEG-LI 100 Megawatt Solar program, Clean Solar Initiative II (CSI II). CSI II is a program announced by LIPA last year to encourage clean, renewable energy production. Selection by the utility for the 100 Megawatts will take place after a January 31st cut off for an auction to determine the price point.
“I have been a champion of energy efficiency and the use of clean, renewable energy,” said County Executive Bellone. “As the solar industry matures and the need to diversify our energy mix intensifies, it makes sense for the County to propose projects on municipal land that cannot be developed otherwise.”
As the winning vendor, SunEdison has proposed building a multi Megawatt project at the airport, with a smaller rooftop system at the Riverhead County Center. Depending on the results of a January 31st LIPA auction, the vendor and the County will begin negotiations for a 20 year lease of the premises. The projects with SunEdison are subject to lease negotiations, and approval by federal and state agencies, as well as the County Legislature.
“We have been bombarded with inquiries from solar developers who see our Francis S. Gabreski airport as a prime location for a significant solar installation,” Bellone said. “There are still a number of steps needed to be taken, but Suffolk County is enthusiastic about working with SunEdison to make this project happen.”
Deputy County Executive and Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning Joanne Minieri said, “This is an opportunity for Suffolk County to support our growing solar industry, create new green jobs, and bring income to the County. From an Economic Development perspective, it will be a win for the people of Suffolk County.”
Minieri said that the portion of the airport that was designated for solar is not able to be used for any other aviation or non-aviation purpose, and is already in the Airport Master Plan as an area approved to be cleared of vegetation. She said the county will work closely with the Federal Aviation Administration and other federal offices to ensure that all airport-related issues are addressed. Recently the City of Indianapolis, IN installed 12 Megawatts at their municipal airport and they have another large project in the pipeline. Suffolk County officials contacted Indianapolis city officials to benefit from their recent experience before moving forward with a request for proposals at Gabreski.
CSI II was announced in July of 2013, after LIPA had a successful first round in 2012. Bellone said the county had met with or spoken to 53 solar developers during 2012-2013, and did an exhaustive search for properties that had potential for large solar installations. The Suffolk Economic Development and Planning Department developed an RFP for solar development at County facilities, with emphasis on Gabreski Airport, but also allowed for other possible locations. A total of 133 companies downloaded the RFP, 22 companies participated in the mandatory tour, and 13 companies bid on the project.
