FAQ

In North America, EDF power solutions has been providing clean energy solutions throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico since 1987. We are a market-leading independent power producer and service provider, serving utilities, corporations, industries, communities, institutions, and investors with reliable, low-carbon energy solutions that help meet growing demand.

From developing and building scalable wind (onshore and offshore), solar, storage (battery and pumped storage hydropower), smart EV charging, microgrids, green hydrogen, and transmission projects to maximizing performance and profitability through skilled operations and maintenance and innovative asset optimization, our teams deliver expert solutions along the entire value chain—from origination to commercial operation. Our portfolio consists of 23 gigawatts of developed projects and 16 gigawatts under service contracts.

In New York, the EDF power solutions developed and operates the 80-megawatt Copenhagen Wind in Lewis County and the 177-megawatt Livingston County Morris Ridge Solar+Storage Project, the first utility-scale solar project in the state.

EDF power solutions has developed grid-scale solar+storage energy generation facilities across the US. Most recently, the Desert Quartzite 300 MW solar, 150 MW x 4-hour BESS project in California and the Arrow Canyon 200 MW solar, 75 MW x 5-hour BESS project in Nevada.

The Rosalen Solar and Storage project is a proposed 200 MW solar photovoltaic project that will be sited on approximately 1,900 acres of private land located in the Towns of Rose and Galen in Wayne County, New York. The project will generate enough electricity to power 52,000 homes annually during its 30 years of operation, provide tax and job benefits to the region, and contribute to New York State’s renewable energy targets.

There are three reasons why EDF power solutions is proposing the Rosalen Solar project in the Towns of Rose and Galen;

1. There are transmission lines running through the Town of Rose with sufficient capacity to take the electricity generated by the Project.
2. There is a good amount of cleared land in the area that can support a solar project of this size. Cleared land that is unconstrained of environmental features to facilitate project permitting and fairly flat that can accommodate project infrastructure is necessary for a project like this.
3. A supportive community that accepts to be a host for a solar project. EDF power solutions found a good number of landowners who want to participate in hosting the project, and the communities of Rose and Galen have been supportive of our efforts to propose this type of development in the area. EDF power solutions is sensitive that an amount of farmland is being displaced by the Project, but will work with the community to find ways to incorporate agriculture, such as grazing sheep and foraging bees.

Large-scale renewable energy projects like this one often involve complex permitting, design, and regulatory processes, which can sometimes lead to delays. However, EDF power solutions is fully committed to moving the project forward as efficiently as possible while ensuring it meets all state regulatory and environmental standards.

The good news is that significant progress has been made, and we are actively working to finalize the necessary steps to bring the project to construction. While exact timelines depend on factors such as permitting approvals, interconnection agreements, and market conditions, our goal is to begin construction by 2028. Once operational, the project will provide a steady revenue stream, which we hope will help you achieve your retirement goals.

The power line right of ways are owned by the utility company and typically need to be clear of development so the lines can be accessed for operation and maintenance. Transmission lines and towers cast shade on the panels which negatively impacts production.

Rosalen Solar is actively navigating the Town of Rose’s local law, which restricts solar projects on prime farmland or prime farmland if drained areas. The law prohibits solar development on more than 50% of Prime Farmland or Prime Farmland if Drained on a per-parcel basis. While the project recognizes and respects the Town’s 50% limitation, Rosalen Solar is proceeding through the Article 8 permitting process. Under Article 8, state regulations require adherence to the substantive provisions of local zoning laws but also allow for waivers if those provisions are deemed “unreasonably burdensome” or inconsistent with the state’s uniform standards and conditions for renewable energy projects. The project seeks to balance local interests with state guidelines, acknowledging that strict adherence to the 50% limitation could unintentionally increase impacts on other sensitive areas, such as wetlands and forested land, or result in a more scattered project footprint. To address these challenges, Rosalen Solar advocates for setbacks and land use decisions to be approached as a “case-by-case discussion” and is actively pursuing Good Neighbor Agreements with nearby landowners. These agreements are designed to ensure that the project addresses community concerns, provides mutual benefits, and fosters a positive relationship with neighbors throughout the development process.

Rosalen Solar also emphasizes that its development approach ensures that the integrity of prime farmland or prime farmland if drained is preserved throughout the project’s life cycle. By adhering to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) guidelines, the project is committed to protecting topsoil during all phases of construction, operation, and decommissioning. This includes carefully removing and stockpiling topsoil during construction to prevent compaction or degradation, as well as implementing practices to maintain soil health during operation, such as vegetation control through agrivoltaic practices. At the end of the project’s life, the land will be decommissioned, and all solar infrastructure will be removed in accordance with project permits. The preserved topsoil and land will allow the site to be returned to its original farming use, ensuring that the prime farmland designation remains intact for future agricultural use.

Yes! It is a common misconception that solar only works well in climates where there is abundant sunshine. Solar panels do not require perfectly sunny weather to generate electricity, and modern solar resource datasets allow developers to accurately estimate the amount of sunshine at a given location. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology continues to become more efficient, enabling solar projects to generate in the absence of strong, direct sunlight, and increasing the viability of project locations throughout New York. Additionally, the cooler temperatures in New York actually make panels more efficient. Combined with the strong demand for renewable energy throughout New York, availability of suitable land, and supportive policies, solar makes sense in most areas of New York State.

Bobby Magill Follow “Rooftops in Cloudy Places Could Be Solar Gold Mines.” Climate Central, 15 Apr. 2016, http://www.climatecentral.org/news/cloudy-places-could-be-solar-gold-mines-20253.

We know that many people in the communities where we are active are avid hunters. Our project components, like the solar panels, inverters and transformers are surrounded by fences in accordance with electrical codes. The areas within the fences will not be available for hunting. However, provided that hunters have permission from landowners and are following applicable hunting guidelines and regulations, hunting can occur in the vicinity of and adjacent to our solar facilities.

Land that is being taxed as agriculture exempt will lose this exemption and be applied a penalty paid by EDF power solutions. Hosting a solar project will not change the zoning designation of host properties or neighboring properties. Rosalen Solar project will not affect the property taxes of neighboring properties. Properties hosting project components may have an increase in taxes, which will be paid by EDF power solutions.

Properties hosting project components may have an increase in taxes, which will be paid by EDF power solutions.

Funds that will be contributed to the towns of Rose and Galen are typically for the town and its citizens to determine how it will be spent. EDF power solutions does not determine how the funds will be spent or allocated.

Rosalen solar will provide substantial new revenues (anticipated to be more than $1,000,000 per year) paid to the host Town(s), County and associated school districts. The project will also be sited with appropriate visual setbacks and buffering to properly integrate the project in the community.

The town and its citizens would have an opportunity to determine how the funds are appropriated. The land rent paid to landowners is also a significant investment in the community.

More than 200 jobs will be created to build the project over two years and two full time positions will be created during operation. All these new investments will have an appreciable benefit to the community at large.

EDF power solutions is negotiating a Payment In Lieu of Tax (PILOT) and Host Community Agreement package that is proposed to contribute $2,500 per megawatt (MW) in additional annual contributions to the community. For the 200 MW Project, the PILOT and Host Community Agreement are proposed to contribute $1,000,000 per year in additional revenues for the Towns, Wayne County and School Districts. The PILOT and Host Community Agreement contributions are proposed to increase by 2% annually, for the term of the agreements.

Based on our understanding of the current taxes being paid by the land proposing to host the solar facilities, the project would contribute more than ten times more revenues to the Town, County and School districts on a per acre basis compared to the current taxes being paid.

The repeal of the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) could have an impact on the financial structure of utility-scale solar projects, but it is unlikely to completely stall or prevent the Rosalen Solar Energy Center or similar projects from moving forward. Here’s how the ITC affects utility-scale solar projects and the implications of its removal:

The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a valuable federal incentive that enhances the financial viability of solar projects by allowing the project to offset some of its capital costs through federal income tax credits. This credit has been a contributing driving force behind the success of the solar industry, making projects more attractive to investors, reducing costs of electricity by about $0.02/kWh, and accelerating the transition to clean, renewable energy across the country.

The Rosalen Solar Energy Center is well-positioned to move forward even without the federal ITC due to several factors. The cost of solar technology, including panels and inverters, has dropped significantly over the past decade, making utility-scale solar projects increasingly competitive. These cost reductions help offset the loss of the tax credit. In addition, New York’s strong state-level incentives, such as NYSERDA’s Tier 1 Renewable Energy Credit (REC) program and the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), provide critical policy and financial support for renewable energy projects. The long-term demand for clean energy, driven by state mandates, ensures continued viability of solar projects. The solar industry remains resilient due to technological advancements, declining costs, and strong public and private sector support. The project can adapt by focusing on cost optimization, innovative financing, and leveraging state incentives to maintain financial viability and ensure continued progress in the transition to renewable energy.

Yes, any property that will host project infrastructure will have a lease or easement agreement and will receive a form of compensation.

EDF power solutions is not a real estate company and prefers to lease properties because it is important to keep ownership of the properties in the local community. That way, when the leases expire, local people have the opportunity to determine what happens to the properties. A benefit of solar energy leases is that the landowners make a steady revenue stream for many decades while the project is in operation.

The project must follow strict guidelines by the Department of Agriculture and Markets during construction and decommissioning to protect topsoil and repair soil compaction. As part of decommissioning, the land can be returned to farming and the soil could benefit from grazing by sheep or other uses during the project operating life.

Solar panels are used to convert sunlight to a usable source of electricity, much like plants convert sunlight to crops for energy. Just like farms produce corn, soy, grains, milk and meat that are sold to urban and rural markets, the electricity produced by the solar project supplies the same urban and rural markets.

EDF power solutions successfully integrated 300 sheep on a 200 acre solar project in Ontario Canada. The farmers will be able to sell free range grass-fed lamb on the market as a result.

Click here to view a video about solar grazing, by Farm Credit East.

Click here that shows a virtual school field trip to visit sheep under solar panels!

We are sensitive to the use of agricultural land and are continually trying to find ways to incorporate agriculture with solar. One such way is by grazing sheep among the solar panels to control vegetation. We usually pay a business to provide vegetation management services which can include mechanical mowing, but we love the idea of sheep grazing in lieu of mechanical mowing as much as possible.

Typically, the way this works is we sign an agreement and pay the business or farmer to maintain the vegetation by using sheep and/or mechanical mowing.

Under the Article VIII permitting process, applicants must provide evidence of substantial land control and a well-developed interconnection plan. Full control is not always required at the time of application. However, developers must demonstrate that they have secured sufficient site control, such as leases, purchase agreements, or options, to support the project.

For interconnection, a fully executed interconnection agreement with the utility is only required at the time of construction. The project must show significant progress in the interconnection process, such as achieving key milestones in the NYISO or utility interconnection queue.

Solar is an integral part of a cleaner, less carbon emitting electricity system. Any carbon that can be mitigated has a direct positive impact on overall climate change. A project like Rosalen solar can offset the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity and generate positive change in the face of climate change. Rosalen Solar project is anticipated to avoid more than 159,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually which represents the greenhouse gas emissions from 34,000 passenger vehicles driven over the course of one year.

Project components are intended to be sited to the greatest extent possible on lands that are already cleared. However, depending on the land participating in the project there might be some infrastructure sited within areas that are currently wooded.

The expected electricity generated in one year is enough to meet the consumption of up to 52,000 average homes. This is equivalent to avoiding more than 159,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually which represents the greenhouse gas emissions from 34,000 passenger vehicles driven over the course of one year.

Our oldest large utility scale solar facility is 10 years old and it continues to be in operation and is still owned by EDF power solutions. The same solar panels that were installed 10 years ago are still producing electricity on site. This site is still very much sustainable and hosts more than 300 sheep grazing vegetation among the solar panels and beehives that produce 300 x 16 oz jars of honey annually.

Crystalline silicon panels that are manufactured using safe and non-toxic materials are proposed for this project. These modules are comprised of silicon, copper and aluminum, sandwiched between glass and a plastic encapsulant with an aluminum frame. These types of solar modules do not contain or leach toxic materials and are the same type that are commonly installed on rooftops and schools. The Facility may incorporate energy storage technologies; however, design and engineering of the Facility is ongoing, and this design component has not been finalized. Additional information regarding energy storage technologies will be included in the Article VIII Application, if applicable.

To respond to the concern about leaching of pollutants from solar panels, a paper from the University of North Carolina exploring the toxicity of silicon-based PV panels concludes that “silicon-based PV panels do not pose a material threat to public health and safety. The only aspect of the panels with potential toxicity concerns is the very small amount of lead in some panels. However, any lead in a panel is well sealed from environmental exposure for the operating lifetime of the solar panel and thus not at risk of release into the environment.”

On the topic of lead, the paper mentions “recent advances in lead-free solders have spurred a trend among PV panel manufacturers to reduce or remove the lead in their panels.” For the support structures, the same paper mentions “The most significant non-panel component of a ground-mounted PV system is the mounting structure of the rows of panels, commonly referred to as “racking”. The vertical post portion of the racking is galvanized steel and the remaining above-ground racking components are either galvanized steel or aluminum, which are both extremely common and benign building materials.”

The state permitting process for renewable energy projects includes studies and assessments to meet very stringent guidelines for the protection of environmental features, cultural heritage features and archaeology. The Project will also need to adhere to noise and visual standards. Reports and studies documenting these and other items will be prepared as part of the permitting application and available to the Towns and community stakeholders for review and comment. EDF power solutions intends to keep the Towns apprised of Project development and permitting progress, and proactively addressing issues that come up together.

We are committed to protecting groundwater and ensuring the safety of nearby wells throughout the life of the project. To achieve this, we comply with all local, state, and federal regulations, including the requirements outlined in Section 1100-2.14 (Exhibit 13: Water Resources and Aquatic Ecology) and Section 1100-6.4(n) (Facility Construction and Maintenance) of the New York ORES regulations. These regulations mandate specific measures to safeguard water resources and private wells during both the pre-construction and operational phases of the project.

Our adherence to Section 1100-2.14 (Exhibit 13) ensures that we fully evaluate water resources and aquatic ecology as part of the permitting process. This includes identifying groundwater recharge areas, aquifers, and other hydrological features, as well as assessing potential impacts to water quality. The results of these evaluations are incorporated into the project’s design and construction practices to minimize any potential risks to water resources.

We are dedicated to environmental stewardship and maintaining open communication with local stakeholders. By adhering to these stringent regulatory requirements and implementing additional safeguards as needed, we ensure that groundwater and private wells are protected throughout the life of the project.

Wetland laws need to be followed as part of project permitting.

EDF power solutions does not have access to eminent domain. All the properties that will host the facility will be signed up to lease or easement agreements mutually agreed to between EDF power solutions and landowners.

Some of the power will be consumed locally (in Syracuse and Rochester and in the towns in between). The remainder will be consumed upstate New York and in areas on the way to New York City.
Much like the dairy, corn, grains, and vegetables produced locally feeds both rural and urban centers, so does the electricity we will generate.

We need to build a substation that collects all the electricity generated from the solar panels and increase the voltage for injection onto the 345kv transmission lines. That substation would be located on leased property adjacent to the exiting transmission line on steel towers running east/west on the southern part of the Town of Rose.

No tax dollars are being paid to the project to build the project. The project only gets paid as electricity is sold to the grid. Renewable energy generation, including solar is necessary in New York State to meet targets to generate 70% of New York’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.
The cost of solar electricity has decreased substantially in the past 10 years and it is now economically feasible in New York.

Solar energy does not produce any greenhouse gases during the operation of the facility. Overall manufacturing through to decommissioning, the carbon footprint of a solar is about one tenth of coal and one fifth of natural gas.

At this point in time, the electricity generated by the project would be sold to the merchant market and not available for direct purchase from persons or businesses in the local community. However, it may be possible to aggregate electricity customers in the area or negotiate offtake agreements with businesses to sell the electricity and or renewable energy credits directly to them.

The Rosalen solar project can supply enough electricity to meet the demands of about 52,000 homes, and therefore would require agreements with a significant number of homes or one or more businesses using significant electricity.

Various direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) electrical cabling will be used to collect the electricity generated by the solar panels and transport it to the substation, where the project interconnects to the utility grid's transmission system.

In a solar array, rows of panels are connected to inverters, which are located well within the fenced area of the project. Above-ground DC electrical cables, carrying voltages of up to 600V, connect the panels to the inverters. These inverters convert the electricity from DC to AC, and a transformer then steps up the AC voltage to 34.5 kV. The electricity is then collected through a network of underground AC electrical cables (or overhead cables where underground installation is not feasible, such as when not crossing farmland). Finally, the electricity is transported to the substation through transmission easements, where the voltage is increased to 345 kV for delivery to the grid.

No, the solar panels do not make noise. Some of the facility components such as inverters and transformers do make noise, but that equipment is sited with appropriate setbacks from neighboring homes so that the sound observed would be no louder than that of a quiet room.

Decommissioning is the process of removing equipment (solar panels, inverters, transformers) and improvements (roads and fences) and returning the land to its prior use when a solar facility is at its end of life. This is paid for by the project owner, and not the landowner or municipality.

We responded to feedback we heard during our first meetings with the Town of Rose and the Town of Galen. We heard that securing the cost of decommissioning for the Project before the start of operation was important to the community. Since then, EDF power solutions has committed to the Towns that it will provide a financial security prior to the start of operation, such as a letter of credit held with a reputable financial institution, in the amount necessary to remove the Project components and return the land to pre-existing conditions for the benefit of the Towns, in the event that the Project owner is unable to properly decommission the site.

If project land was previously used for agriculture, any topsoil that was removed or disturbed during the construction, operation or decommissioning of the solar facility will be replaced so the land can be returned to farming.

The disposal of solar panels in New York must conform to all governmental, environmental, and legal requirements. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) established a national recycling program connecting US-based recyclers with businesses who have solar panels to recycle. Many components of crystalline silicon panels can be reused and recycled, namely the metal, glass and wiring components, as well as the silicon cells which can be melted down to reclaim the silicon and various metals by specialty recycling companies.

EDF power solutions is obligated to provide a decommissioning security prior to the start of operation in favor of the host town that provides the town with the necessary funds to decommission the facility in the event that the project owner is not able to. These funds will be available even if the project owner does not have funds at that time.

Decommissioning means the removal of all equipment and restoration of the land.

During the development process, people are employed conducting site surveys, permitting, community engagement, land acquisition and many more activities. We have hired a number of consultants from across Upstate NY and have expanded our NY EDF power solutions’ development team with local NYS residents.

Construction is anticipated to take two years, and at its peak, require more than 200 workers. It is anticipated that a significant component of the labor force will be sourced from Western New York. Part of our two-person operations team is anticipated to be staffed locally provided that candidates for the position are available.

Job creation for rural New Yorkers is a key benefit for communities hosting solar projects. It is especially important to consider solar job training for the youth and the high paying jobs the industry offers especially now, during these unpredictable times. In fact, solar energy is the fastest growing job sector in the nation. Solar energy has been and will continue to be a prominent job creator, and we anticipate hiring more than 200 workers during the construction of the Project. The Project will also employ two full-time employees. The fact is, the need for solar photovoltaic installers grows faster each year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of solar jobs are projected to double by 2026, compared to the average rate of seven percent job growth in other industries.

Land is not being re-zoned for commercial because solar energy is permitted within the current land designation.

There will be no rezoning required as part of the project. It is not necessary for this type of development as it is allowed under the current zoning. The zoning of neighboring properties will not change because of the project.

Crystalline silicon panels that are manufactured using safe and non-toxic materials are proposed for this project. These modules are comprised of silicon, copper and aluminum, sandwiched between glass and a plastic encapsulant with an aluminum frame. These types of solar panels do not contain toxic materials and are the same type that are commonly installed on rooftops and schools.

The 2019 Energy Storage System Supplement was added to the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building code, establishing new provisions that must be followed when energy storage systems are installed in New York. According to the notice posted to the New York State Register October 16, 2019, “these new provisions will require extra protective measures in all cases where [energy storage systems] are used; require extra protective measures based on the location of the installation; and otherwise enhance the level of protection to all people of the State from the potential hazard of fires caused by the installation and use of [energy storage systems]”. Source

Training for local resources is available from NYSERDA upon request. With proper training, incidents involving energy storage systems can be addressed by local emergency response personnel.

Solar panels rarely catch fire and are not combustible. In the unlikely event of a fire within a solar panel, it would smolder and not likely spread.
During the permitting process and prior to the start of construction, the project team will meet with local EMS officials to confirm the appropriate training and response protocols to be followed. A Health and Safety Plan, Site Security Plan and Emergency Action Plan will be prepared as part of the permitting process and will be reviewed with local EMS officials prior to the start of construction.

All our facilities will include Knox boxes and local first responders will have keys to enter the facility. Depending on the agreement with first responders and their comfort with the facility, they will either a) wait for operations personnel to arrive before entering the facility or b) notify EDF power solutions and enter the facility prior to the arrival of Operations & Maintenance personnel.
A local crew of two or more persons would operate and maintain the facility, therefore there would be staff living near the project.

Placards around the facility will provide a number to call our operations and maintenance control center, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and speak to a live person.

Lithium batteries don’t have ‘liquids’ in them, per se. They do have a kind of paste that’s wrapped up tightly within the cells, but any “leaking” would only occur under failure conditions and would be highly unlikely to be significant enough in volume to penetrate module casings, containers, and foundations to seep into the soil.

The failure condition that is noted above is very unlikely, especially with new codes and standards that require protective measures that keep evolving to safeguard equipment, personnel and the public, as illustrated in the video mentioned above.

An evacuation plan is not usually necessary for energy storage systems. In the unlikely event of an energy storage fire, first responders will assess the situation and the air space surrounding the fire and respond accordingly. Any smoke or plume normally dissipates rapidly in the air and should not create a safety issue off-site. Therefore, evacuations are unlikely to be required.

There are multiple layers of safety and mitigation that would reduce the probability of fire within the energy storage system, including the design of the system and proactive system operations management and monitoring to prevent an unstable battery event and thermal runaway from occurring.

New York State amended its Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (‘Uniform Code’) to strengthen standards for the installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of energy storage systems. New York is leading the nation as the first state to implement the most recent international fire and safety code for these systems, and all future installations will have to satisfy these robust safety standards.

Research and development of fire extinguishing agents for lithium ion battery systems continues to evolve. UL9540A, Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems, was developed to address safety concerns identified by the building codes and fire service in the United States and is strongly endorsed by fire safety organizations, including Fire Department City of New York, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters and National Association of State Fire Marshalls. The energy storage system designed and implemented for Rosalen would need to follow this, among other standards. The ultimate location of the energy storage system and system design might dictate whether or not a fire extinguishing agent is even necessary, in which case that portion of the system could be left to safely burn, in the unlikely event of an incident.

EDF power solutions would include an assessment of the energy storage system design and operating procedures as part of the permitting process.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has examined property values across the United States. Their studies demonstrate large-scale solar arrays often have no measurable impact on the value of adjacent properties and in some cases may even have positive effects.

Furthermore, the proximity to solar farms does not deter the sales of agricultural or residential land. Large solar projects have similar characteristics to a greenhouse or single-story residence and the integration of visual buffers, such as natural vegetation, trees, and green fences lessen the visual impact of the project from neighboring homes and roads.

Read the full SEIA fact sheet here.

Rosalen Solar Energy Center must complete a thorough permitting process that takes a minimum of three years to complete with multiple opportunities for input from all stakeholders.

The project would not be able to start construction before 2028. Construction would last 2 years, and the operation phase is intended to last 30-40 years after which time the project would be decommissioned and the land returned to its previous use, including farming.

Construction could start by 2028 (at the conclusion of permitting) and be operational two years thereafter.

More than 200 jobs will be created during construction (expected to last two years) as well as two full time positions during operation, fostering significant long-term job growth along with other projects across the state within the renewable energy sector.

Businesses that benefit from labor, services and material supply before, during and after construction include environmental consulting, project and construction management, surveying, geotech, construction services, equipment rental, landscaping, maintenance, and hospitality to name a few. For more information about solar careers, click here or watch more videos on the IREC YouTube Channel.

EDF power solutions sees four main benefits of the project moving forward;

1. Additional revenues for the local towns and counties for at least the next 15 years. The Rosalen Solar project is proposed on 1,900 acres of land. Revenues to the Town of Rose, Town of Galen, Wayne County and associated school districts would be about ten times higher than the current tax contributions on those lands. Taking into account a 2% annual increase, this represents $18 million in new revenues to the host Towns, County and associated school districts over the first 15 years of operation. When landowner payments are added, the contributions to the community are more than $45 million over the same period. These are all dollars that will be partially reinvested into the community, and do not include paid salaries or locally sourced material, service or equipment supplies. Additional benefits are possible from co-locating farming like sheep grazing and foraging of bees within the solar footprint.
2. Stable new “cash crop” revenues that last a minimum of 20 years for local landowners leasing land to the Project.
3. Hosting a clean energy facility that will provide jobs and significant non-polluting power into the electrical grid for generations to come.
4. An opportunity to support agricultural jobs and products by finding ways to incorporate agriculture within the Project footprint.

Everyone living in a community where a solar facility is located benefits in a variety of ways. The Rosalen Solar project is expected to contribute significant revenues to the town, county and school districts as well as pay special district taxes. The project will contribute scholarships and an annual Share the Sun Fund for community organizations.

The Rosalen Solar project goes a step further by offering Good Neighbor Agreements for landowners living near the project. These agreements not only provide additional benefits to nearby landowners but also allow them to negotiate specific setbacks or screening options to address individual concerns, demonstrating the project’s commitment to fostering positive relationships with the local community.

EDF power solutions is committed to a thorough engagement process. The project development team has been in contact with officials from the towns of Rose and Galen since the spring of 2019. In August 2019, public meetings were held in the Town of Rose and Galen and attended by about 80 people.  Additional meetings were held in November 2024 and May 2025, attended by about 60 people. The permitting process for this project will take until 2027 to complete and there are numerous opportunities for public involvement throughout the process.

Members of the public can share feedback with the project team or ask questions at any time by dialing 833-333-7369, emailing newyorksolar@edf-re.com. Our team is also available to meet with individuals and local organizations who have questions or need more information. Informational boards from the August 2019 public meeting can be found in the resources section below and a copy of the Public Involvement Program plan is available here. Additional public meetings will be held at a future date.

Visit our Resources page to learn more, click here.

Podcasts from WNY Media works can also be found here on topics spanning the solar industry!

Please refer to the Guide for Intervenor Funding on the Department of Public Service Website (https://dps.ny.gov/siting-board-guides-and-forms)

EDF power solutions is sensitive to designing a project that is well received by the community and can be well integrated into the area. Features such as visual buffers typically created by planting vegetation along roadsides and adjacent to neighboring homes near the project help soften the visual impact of the facility and maintain the rural character of the area.

The Article VIII application includes a Visual Impacts Minimization and Mitigation Plan that shall include an analysis of the solar glare exposure at any non-participating residence, airport or public roadway and how glare will be avoided or minimized, and will not result in complaints, impede traffic movements or create safety hazards.

We look forward to talking to the community and neighbors about the type of visual screening that will be proposed for the facility. In our view, the screening should be designed in a way that is cost effective and has the best probability for survival. This means planting shorter trees (perhaps 2’ to 4’ range) around non-sensitive areas, and taller trees (perhaps 4’ to 6’) around more sensitive areas.

Over time, but within 5-10 years, an effective visual buffer would be created. Though we prefer to plant coniferous trees for visual buffering, at times neighbors prefer a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees. In many cases, especially around sensitive areas, we’ve planted two or more rows of trees to enhance the long-term buffering effect.

In time, the visual buffer would grow to provide an effective visual screen of the site, though not necessarily completely remove it from view.

Energy storage systems are becoming an integral part of a clean electricity system of the future. An integrated energy storage system would allow us to store electricity during the day to produce onto the grid when the sun is not shining and increase the reliability of the facility to better meet New York’s electricity needs. New York State mandated the installation of 3,000 MW of energy storage systems by 2030 through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act that was signed into law in July 2019.

Energy storage systems can be safely integrated into your community. According to a publication by experts who study and provide testing of energy storage systems, “working at or living near an energy storage system is less risky than driving a car 10 hours per week, smoking, or working in industries such as construction, mining, or agriculture”. (Source)

Rosalen Solar project may or may not include energy storage systems. That will be determined at a later date, but for transparency, we are proceeding as if the project will include energy storage.

Click here to watch a short video about energy storage!

EDF power solutions would pick up any costs associated with this.

The current useful life of a typical energy storage system is 20 years assuming 1 full cycle per day and used for delivering renewable energy onto the grid when needed. Battery capacity does decrease over time, but new batteries can be added over time in a process called ‘augmentation’ if capacity is required to be maintained constant over the project life.

As the US solar industry continues to grow and mature, we recognize the capacity to recycle solar panels also needs to ramp up significantly. At present, the industry’s recycling needs are limited to panels that are broken or damaged during construction or operations. However, by the end of this decade, US solar projects will reach the end of their operational lives, yielding tens of thousands of panels that will need to be recycled in the decommissioning phase.

In keeping with this, and as part of our commitment to minimize the environmental footprint of our operations, we signed an agreement with SOLARCYCLE in 2023 to recycle solar panels that are damaged or broken during construction and operation at our grid-scale, distribution-scale, and onsite solar installations.

We selected SOLARCYCLE as a preferred partner because of their deep commitment to innovation and proven high-value recycling process. SOLARCYCLE’s proprietary technology allows for the extraction of 95% of the value from recycled panels, including silver, silicon, copper, aluminum, and glass, a significant increase over the industry standard which is currently below 50%.

SOLARCYCLE’s efficient reverse logistics make it possible to cost-effectively collect damaged panels and return them to a recycling facility for resource recovery. In addition, the company offers transparency and verification through advanced environmental reporting. In the future, SOLARCYCLE hopes to sell recycled raw materials to panel manufacturers based in North America, thereby creating a closed-loop system that maximizes environmental benefits and supply chain resilience.

The EDF power solutions team is dedicated to keep the Town of Rose and The town of Galen informed of the Rosalen Solar project progress, and remain committed to make sure the interests of the community are considered. EDF power solutions will provide $200,000 to the State (“Intervenor Funding”), for use by the host community to hire attorneys and consultants to help with due diligence and providing feedback on the Project. Intervenor funds are made available to ensure that towns and other key interested parties have the financial resources to participate in the permitting process.

These funds would be made available after the Project submits its permitting application, currently anticipated in 2026. Prior to that time, it is expected that the Towns may want to retain one or more attorneys or consultants to help with its due diligence and understanding of the Project, permitting process, and what it means for the community. During this early stage of development, in an effort to eliminate any financial burdens on the Towns’ budgets due to the Project. EDF power solutions is offering $20,000 in an escrow account for each town to account for attorney's fees and consultants prior to the Article VIII application submission.

While nuclear energy is an important part of the clean energy mix, utility-scale solar offers significant advantages in terms of cost, speed of deployment, and its ability to meet urgent climate and energy demands in the short term.

According to the 2025 Lazard Cost of Energy , the cost of new solar energy is competitive and much lower than the cost of new nuclear energy, even if the cost of solar energy in New York State is slightly higher than shown by Lazard.

While nuclear energy provides a steady, baseload power supply, solar energy excels at meeting daytime peak demand, when energy usage is highest. By integrating solar and energy storage into the energy mix, we can reduce reliance on fossil fuels during these peak periods and lower overall energy costs. Solar also complements nuclear by addressing gaps in energy production during the construction of new nuclear facilities, which often take decades to bring online.

Utility-scale solar is a cost-effective, rapidly deployable, and environmentally friendly solution that plays a critical role in addressing the energy demand gap and combating climate change in the near term.