FAQs about the Excelsior Energy Project
Q: What is the Excelsior Energy Project?
A: Located in the Town of Byron in Genesee County, N.Y., the Excelsior Energy Project is a proposed 280-megawatt photovoltaic solar energy generating facility with 20 megawatts of energy storage.
The Town of Byron possesses the critical elements required for a strong solar and energy storage project, including a strong solar resource, existing road infrastructure, access to transmission infrastructure, and available land in an area well-suited environmentally to host such a project.
The Excelsior Energy Project is proposed by NextEra Energy, Inc., the world’s largest generator of energy from the wind and sun.
Q: When will the project be complete?
A: The Excelsior Energy Project is expected to begin commercial operation in late 2022.
Q: How much energy will the Excelsior Energy Project generate?
A: The Excelsior Energy Project will generate 280 megawatts of solar energy and is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 300,000 tons every year. This is the equivalent of taking more than 50,000 cars off the road. Furthermore, the 280-megawatt solar facility will produce electricity without creating air or water pollution and without the use of water for generation.
Q: How will the local community benefit from this project?
A: The Excelsior Energy Project has the potential to deliver new jobs, long-term revenue, and economic development to Genesee County and the Town of Byron.
Q: What specific benefits will the project bring?
A: The project is expected to bring numerous benefits to the region through a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement, which will provide 37.4 million in new revenue to the county, town and school district to invest in infrastructure, additional services, and resources for residents.
The project will create 290 jobs during construction, three to four full-time positions, and opportunities for landscaping and snow plowing throughout the life of the project. There will be opportunities for local businesses to supply materials to support construction of the project, and service industry businesses such as hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues will benefit from an increase in worker activity throughout construction.
The Excelsior Energy Project’s goal is to hire as many workers as possible from the local area. The project will invest up to $40 million in construction labor, creating employment opportunities for those in the construction trades, including equipment operators, truck drivers, laborers, and electricians.
Q: Why Byron, N.Y.?
A: The Town of Byron possesses the critical elements required for a strong solar and energy storage project, including a strong solar resource, existing road infrastructure, access to transmission infrastructure, and available land in an area well-suited environmentally to host such a project.
Q: What is NextEra Energy Resources?
A: NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, together with its affiliated entity, NextEra Energy Resources, is a clean energy leader and one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with approximately 21,000 megawatts of net generating capacity, primarily in 36 states and Canada as of year-end 2018. NextEra Energy Resources, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage.
Q: How is the project being approved?
A: The permitting and approval of the Excelsior Energy Project will be conducted in accordance with New York State’s Article 10 law. This thorough process encourages local input and mandates rigorous study of the project. Through Article 10, Excelsior will seek input from community stakeholders and will work to minimize potential impacts to the maximum extent practicable. Information about the Article 10 process can be found at www.dps.ny.gov/SitingBoard/.