PowerBank Corporation Secures Municipal Approvals for 28.8 MW Solar Projects on New York Brownfield Sites

PowerBank Corporation has secured all required municipal approvals for two 14.4 MW solar projects in the community of Skaneateles in upstate New York. The company announced that it has obtained all municipal approvals, including variances, site plan approval, and a special use permit for the projects that will be built on industrial brownfield sites in Onondaga County. The projects support New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of 6 GW of solar capacity by 2025. This approach provides an environmentally beneficial reuse of sites that have otherwise limited economic potential. By installing panels on these brownfields, PowerBank is addressing land use challenges while contributing to the state's renewable energy targets.

The company is now awaiting approval from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and intends to begin construction if approval and financing are received. Once operational, the projects will provide clean energy to the grid, with subscribers earning credits on their electricity bill every month through the community solar initiative. The community solar model allows multiple subscribers to benefit from solar energy without installing panels on their own properties, making renewable energy more accessible to residents and businesses in the area. The Finger Lakes region project represents a significant step in New York's transition to cleaner energy sources while demonstrating how industrial brownfield sites can be transformed into productive assets for local communities.

PowerBank has more than 100 MW of completed projects and a 1 GW pipeline across North America. The company specializes in distributed and community solar initiatives throughout Canada and the U.S., focusing on projects that repurpose unused land for renewable energy generation. Additional information about the company's projects and initiatives can be found at https://ibn.fm/yLdyR. This development matters because it showcases a practical approach to renewable energy expansion that addresses multiple challenges simultaneously. By utilizing brownfield sites, the projects avoid competition for agricultural or natural lands while revitalizing underutilized industrial areas. The community solar model expands access to clean energy benefits beyond individual property owners, potentially accelerating adoption among renters, businesses with unsuitable roofs, and residents who cannot afford upfront installation costs.

The municipal approval milestone represents a critical step in transforming policy goals into tangible infrastructure. New York's ambitious climate targets require rapid deployment of renewable energy projects, and this approval demonstrates how regulatory processes can align with environmental objectives. The projects' location in the Finger Lakes region highlights how renewable energy development can occur across diverse geographic areas, not just in remote locations with abundant open space. As communities nationwide seek to balance development with environmental protection, this model of repurposing brownfields for solar generation offers a replicable template that addresses land use concerns while advancing clean energy transitions.