PowerBank announced on June 3rd that its 3.1-megawatt NY-South Park community solar project, located on a closed landfill in Buffalo, New York, has been approved to receive an $841,555 incentive through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) NY-Sun program.
The initiative is also projected to receive an additional $730,234 in incentives, including the NY-Sun Inclusive Community Solar Adder and the Retail Energy Storage Incentive, potentially bringing the total funding to $1,571,800.
Project Details and Context
This project is among several community solar developments PowerBank is actively advancing in New York State. The company has previously secured NYSERDA funding for successful projects in Elmira, Jordan Rd 1, Jordan Rd 2, and Geddes.
Once operational, the Buffalo project is expected to generate clean electricity for approximately 388 households annually. Situated on a closed landfill in Buffalo's South Park area, the project received all necessary municipal approvals by March 2026, including a SEQRA Negative Declaration, area and use variances, and a zoning map amendment. It is currently awaiting final construction approval from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
About the NY-Sun Program
The NY-Sun initiative is a public-private partnership designed to accelerate solar energy adoption and reduce technology costs across New York. The community solar model enables local renters, homeowners, and businesses to subscribe to a project and receive monthly credits on their utility bills, accessing the cost savings of clean energy without needing to install rooftop solar panels.
Leadership Commentary
Dr. Richard Lu, President and CEO of PowerBank, stated, "The continued support from NYSERDA is crucial for advancing our portfolio of clean energy projects in New York. The Buffalo project exemplifies the development of hybrid solar-plus-storage systems on landfill sites, making productive use of underutilized land while delivering renewable energy benefits to the local community."
Broader Strategic Initiatives
This award represents the latest in a series of NYSERDA incentives recently secured by PowerBank in New York. Previously, the company received a $1.47 million Commercial Operation Payment for its Geddes project and over $1.1 million in funding for the Jordan Rd 2 project.
PowerBank currently has nine announced solar projects in New York with a combined capacity exceeding 42 megawatts. As part of a strategic shift, the company has recently identified artificial intelligence computing infrastructure and modular data center development as a core growth vertical. This new business line directly leverages the company's expanding portfolio of permitted and incentive-backed renewable energy assets.
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