Garnet Energy Center » FAQs about the Garnet Energy Center

What is the Garnet Energy Center?

Located in the town of Conquest in Cayuga County, N.Y., the Garnet Energy Center is a proposed 200-megawatt photovoltaic solar energy generating facility with 20 megawatts of energy storage.

The town of Conquest 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 Garnet Energy Center is proposed by NextEra Energy, Inc., the world’s largest generator of energy from the wind and sun.

How much land will it take up?

The project would be expected to use approximately 2,000 acres

When will the project be complete?

The Garnet Energy Center is expected to begin commercial operation in 2023

When do you expect this project to begin generating power?

The Project is planned to commence commercial operation in 2023 and will be designed to operate for at least 30 years.

Where will the power go? Do you have a customer for this project?

Electricity is expected to be delivered into the wholesale market and delivered to customers in Upstate New York. Commercial discussions are on-going, and we have no further comment currently.

How much energy will the Garnet Energy Center generate?

The Garnet Energy Center will generate 200 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 200-megawatt solar facility will produce electricity without creating air or water pollution and without the use of water for generation.

How many panels will be used?

As solar technology is rapidly advancing; it is not possible at this time to determine the exact module type or count that will be used for a project with a commercial operation date in 2023.

Where will the interconnection be?

Interconnection options are currently being evaluated and will be presented in the project’s permitting documents.

Will people be able to see this facility?

The majority of project is not anticipated to be visible from the nearby roadside due to significant visual setbacks from road and the use of vegetation that will form a visual screen.

Additionally, NextEra Energy is aware of differences in elevation that may make the project visible from long distances. As part of the state’s permitting process, we will conduct a viewshed assessment and line of sight analysis.

How will the local community benefit from this project?

The Garnet Energy Center has the potential to deliver new jobs, long-term revenue, and economic development to Cayuga County and the town of Conquest.

What specific benefits will the project bring?

The project is expected to bring numerous benefits to the region through a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement, which will provide revenue to the county, town and schools to invest in infrastructure, additional services, and resources for residents

The project will create three to four full-time positions and 250+ jobs during construction. 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 Garnet Energy Center’s goal is to hire as many workers as possible from the local area. The project will invest a significant amount of money in construction labor, creating employment opportunities for those in the construction trades, including equipment operators, truck drivers, laborers, and electricians.

Why Conquest, N.Y.?

When will setback requirements for all types of roads be shared and will they be negotiable?

The proposed arrays will be set back a minimum of 250 feet from non-participating residences and, in many cases, greater distances. Additionally, the arrays will be set back a minimum of 50 feet from all roadways and a minimum of 100 feet from non-participating residential property lines. These areas may continue to be utilized as they are today and as the landowner see fit.

Garnet has strived to maximize the setbacks given environmental, engineering and other constraints. The Applicant is open to discuss the proposed setbacks with adjacent landowners, considering the other environmental, engineering and land availability constraints existing in the Project Area.

Further information about the visual impact assessment and predicted Project visibility and proposed mitigation will be presented in the Project’s application.

Are we able to know if additional parcels are being considered?

Commercially sensitive negotiations with private landowners are confidential. When the rights to the parcels are formally acquired to be added to the Project Area, they will be formally presented in the proceeding, as were additions that were presented during the Open House and shown on the Project website.

What is NextEra Energy Resources?

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 energy storage.