PowerBank Corporation Secures Municipal Approvals for 28.8 MW Community Solar Projects in Skaneateles

PowerBank Corporation has obtained all required municipal approvals for two 14.4 MW community solar projects in Skaneateles, New York, marking a significant step forward in the state's renewable energy expansion. The projects, which include variances, site plan approval, and a special use permit, are now awaiting final approval from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation before construction can commence. This development matters because it represents tangible progress toward New York's ambitious climate legislation, specifically the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of achieving 6 GW of solar capacity by 2025. The implications are substantial for both environmental policy and land use strategy across the state.

The solar installations will be constructed on industrial brownfield sites in Onondaga County within the Finger Lakes region, representing an environmentally beneficial reuse of land with limited economic potential. This approach demonstrates how underutilized industrial properties can be transformed into productive assets for clean energy generation, creating a model that could be replicated throughout New York and other regions. Once operational, the projects will feed clean energy into the grid while providing subscribers with monthly credits on their electricity bills through the community solar model. This matters because it makes renewable energy accessible to a broader population, including those who cannot install solar panels on their own properties due to financial, physical, or logistical constraints.

PowerBank Corporation, a developer and owner of renewable energy projects specializing in distributed and community solar initiatives across North America, maintains a portfolio of more than 100 MW of completed projects and a 1 GW development pipeline. The company's progress in Skaneateles demonstrates the growing momentum behind repurposing underutilized industrial land for renewable energy generation, contributing to both environmental sustainability and local economic development. Additional information about the company's developments is available at https://ibn.fm/yLdyR.

The advancement of these projects comes at a critical time as New York continues to accelerate its transition to clean energy sources. Community solar projects like these enable residents and businesses to benefit from solar power without installing panels on their own properties, making renewable energy more accessible while supporting the state's ambitious climate targets. The successful development of brownfield sites for solar generation also sets a precedent for similar projects across the state and beyond, potentially unlocking thousands of acres of previously contaminated or underutilized land for productive use. This represents an important shift in how communities approach both environmental remediation and energy infrastructure development, creating multiple benefits from single initiatives.