Renewable energy firm UGE International has achieved the notice to proceed milestone for a community solar project in Queens, New York, with a rooftop capacity of 376 kW.
According to the company, the community solar project will be built on top of a 116,725 square foot modern warehouse under construction, which is owned and developed by Wildflower, a real estate developer based in New York City.
Construction on the project is scheduled to commence in early spring, with commercial operation expected to begin in early fall of this year.
Wireless provider T-Mobile will serve as the anchor energy off-taker for the project as part of an ongoing partnership announced in November 2021. The project aims to reserve 50 percent of the energy output to low-to-moderate-income subscribers, enabling them to save more than 10 percent on their electricity costs.
The project is part of UGE’s growing portfolio of solar projects across the five boroughs and Westchester County. Additionally, it marks the sixth solar project completed by UGE with Wildflower, with three more currently under development.
“Our long-term partnership with UGE supports Wildflower’s mission to create innovative, sustainable and socially beneficial physical infrastructure in New York City,” said Adam Gordon, Managing Partner of Wildflower.
Headquartered in New York, UGE develops, owns, and operates commercial and community solar projects in the U.S. and strategic markets abroad.
Last year, the state of New York touted itself as the nation's leader for installed community solar by surpassing 1 GW in operational capacity. Gov. Kathy Hochul has promised that the state will exceed 10 GW of solar by 2030.
