SUNY ESF Partners with GS Power Partners to Slash Energy Costs and Embrace Community Solar

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) has taken a bold new step in advancing its sustainability goals while cutting energy costs. The college has partnered with GS Power Partners (GSPP) and Community Solar Authority (CSA) to subscribe to the Saratoga II community solar farm in Middle Grove, New York.

 

This collaboration not only reflects ESF’s long-standing commitment to renewable energy but also establishes it as one of the first large SUNY institutions to participate in New York’s growing community solar movement.

 

New York: Leading by Example in Clean Energy

Community solar allows institutions and households to benefit from solar power without needing to install panels on their own properties. Instead, they receive credits on their electricity bills for supporting community solar farms like Saratoga II, which feeds clean energy into the local grid.

 

New York in particular serves as a leading example of how thoughtful policy can drive success in community solar. The state’s longstanding net metering policy ensures that GSPP can sell excess electricity back to the grid at fair rates. More importantly, New York complements net metering with targeted programs that support solar development, like the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and its NY-Sun initiative.

 

“We wanted a solution that aligned with our sustainability goals, reduced our utility expenses, and didn’t create more administrative burden,” said Michael Amadori, Energy Manager at SUNY ESF. “Community solar checked all those boxes. And most importantly, it delivers clean, affordable energy to our communities and contributes to the decarbonization of the grid.”

 

Thanks to the subscription, SUNY ESF will now enjoy a 10% savings on electricity delivery costs at its main Syracuse campus – translating into tens of thousands of dollars in annual savings. But for ESF, the financial benefit is just part of the story.

 

Strengthening a Green Campus

This initiative adds yet another layer of sustainability to ESF’s growing list of clean energy practices. The campus is already transitioning to all-electric heating systems, investing in heat recovery strategies, and training staff on emerging energy technologies.

 

The solar farm subscription also supports New York’s larger clean energy infrastructure goals and provides a model for other SUNY campuses and institutions to follow.

 

“ESF is leading by example in pursuing cost-effective and community-centered sustainability solutions,” said Amanda Zurla, Chief Development Officer at GS Power Partners. “Through our partnership with CSA, we were able to connect ESF with an existing project so they would realize the benefits quickly. It is our hope that the program will expand to other campuses in the future.”

 

Local Partnership, Statewide Impact

Facilitating this collaboration was Community Solar Authority, a company specializing in helping large energy users unlock access to renewable energy savings through community solar. Since its founding in 2019, CSA has helped clients secure more than $35 million in future energy savings.

 

“Michael and the ESF team were instrumental in pushing this project through the public procurement process because they see the value in community solar,” said Dakota Malone, Managing Partner at CSA. “Being from the Syracuse area ourselves, helping ESF to find the right community solar provider meant a lot to our team.”

 

Beyond SUNY ESF, the Saratoga II solar farm is also delivering benefits to hundreds of households across New York State, who are receiving clean energy credits through National Grid.

 

Read the press release here.