The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has added a chapter to the New York Solar Guidebook — the Municipal Solar Procurement Toolkit.
GUILDERLAND — Two projects that would be the first major solar-energy structures in Guilderland came before the planning board on July 12, and the board has received an application for a third.
The Knox Planning Board ruled to deny an application for the construction of a solar array on property owned by Peter Young Housing last Thursday. Board members cited an inability to gather information for the board and neighbors of the property to review, as well as objections by neighbors to its construction.
A solar array proposed in Knox has drawn the ire of many Knox and Guilderland residents who live by the property located on Route 156 at the border of the two towns.
Following a public hearing on a solar bill, and preceding a town workshop meeting, the Westerlo Town Board passed its first law of 2017, which sets requirements for residential and commercial solar arrays.
A proposal for a nine-acre array on Route 156 that would have been Guilderland’s first solar farm was withdrawn this fall. Now the town is considering a proposal for a zoning district change to allow for construction of a solar farm about twice the size.
The board was warned by the Westerlo assessor about a tax exemption that could cost the town, and encouraged instead of implementing the tax to use a Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement with solar farms.
