Airport Parking Lot Arrays to Generate Up to 2.25 Megawatts of Distributed Solar Onsite to Reduce Greenhouse Gases, Integrate More Renewable Energy Resources
A Community Solar Component Poised to Reduce Operational Costs and Bring Lower-Cost Power to Neighboring Mid-Hudson Area Residents
A community solar component will also reduce operational costs and bring lower-cost power to neighboring Mid-Hudson area residents. pic.twitter.com/RLe1EcFm3V
— NY Power Authority (@NYPAenergy) July 1, 2020
Project is Part of the Port Authority’s Comprehensive Climate Action Strategy
See Project Renderings Here View Video Here
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) are seeking developers to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage system at New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) in the southern Hudson Valley, just west of Newburgh. The partnership will bring additional renewable energy sources online to power operations for the New Windsor airport in the Mid-Hudson region’s Orange County while helping New York State achieve its aggressive clean energy goals.
“We’re excited to be part of this important effort to bring together community stakeholders, government and private business to advance our regional sustainability goals,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This project is a step forward in balancing economic viability and operational efficiency with environmental stewardship and social responsibility.”
“As the first transportation agency in the country to embrace the Paris Climate Agreement, we are committed to ensuring that clean energy technology is integral to the operation of all of our facilities,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Reducing emissions by using cleaner, renewable energy is one way to reach our goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 35 percent by 2025, and 80 percent by 2050.”
The New York Stewart project is expected to generate up to 2.25 megawatts of distributed solar, with an option for battery storage. All of the solar energy produced will be used onsite, offsetting the Port Authority’s purchase of conventional electricity. Installation of electric vehicle charging stations will also be evaluated for inclusion in the project, and the canopy structure will allow for covered parking for airport customers.
An optional community solar component, proposed as part of the project, could allow area residents and businesses to support locally generated power and get credit toward their electric bills.
“Elevated solar arrays over parking lots make smart use of underutilized space and increase public awareness of New York State’s continuing push to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources,” said NYPA President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones.
“The fact that this project is slated for one of the Port Authority’s key Mid-Hudson transportation facilities is particularly apropos as our partnership will generate onsite lower-cost renewable energy while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Hudson Valley region, an important goal under Governor Cuomo’s clean energy vision.”
The project specifically supports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s clean energy goals to reduce greenhouse gases 40 percent by 2030 and produce 100 percent of New York’s electricity using clean energy resources by 2040. At his June 15 daily briefing, Cuomo emphasized the need to reimagine and rebuild New York’s upstate airports, specifically highlighting how a reinvigorated Stewart will energize the entire region.
The recently released request for proposals (RFP) is seeking developers to design, construct, finance and own a solar energy system consisting of a series of arrays, which would be constructed on canopies at least 14 feet high over a portion of the long-term parking lot. The design must comply with FAA parameters, including meeting solar glare hazard analysis guidelines. Patrons at the parking lot will benefit from the covered parking lot during inclement and other extreme weather. Pricing proposals considering energy storage have also been requested and it’s highly suggested that this option be considered.
Depending on the proposals received, the project may also be structured as a community distributed generation (“CDG”) solar system, which could generate revenue in the form of lease payments and guaranteed credit savings from subscriptions. Up to 40 percent of the energy can be sold through subscription agreements to local residents and business owners. Priority would be given to the local New York Stewart community, minority/women-owned businesses, and disabled veteran-owned businesses.
The system will be hosted by the Port Authority and owned, maintained and operated by the selected solar developer with no upfront costs to PANYNJ or NYPA. The Port Authority will enter into a power purchase agreement to buy the electricity generated by the system.
The Port Authority and NYPA are also working together on New York City’s single-largest solar energy project, an installation at John F. Kennedy International Airport, which has been awarded to SunPower Corporation and Goldman Sachs Renewable Power Group. Once completed, the project will allow multiple surrounding communities to access solar energy plans at reduced rates. It is expected to reduce JFK greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 6,699 tons annually, the equivalent of taking 1,422 cars off the road each year.
Two possible design concepts for the Stewart project are viewable here. Responses for the Stewart Airport solar and storage RFP are due by July 8. View the RFP here.
About PANYNJ
Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency’s network of Airports, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. The Port Authority receives no tax revenue from either the State of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, please visit http://www.panynj.gov.
About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity.