Greenskies Clean Focus is looking for farmers to participate in an exciting opportunity for co-located growing within an active solar array. The area available is prime for growers interested in sustainable farming practices and/or the emerging field of agrivoltaics (the co-location of agriculture and solar energy generation). The leased area will comprise approximately 17.8 acres within a fenced solar facility, scheduled for completion in the Spring of 2024, first growing season is anticipated in early Fall of 2024 or Spring of 2025. The anticipated service life of this solar facility is 20 to 30 years. This solar facility is a distributed energy resource that will help contribute to Connecticut's renewable energy goals and support the Connecticut State University System.
The leased area is located on a 70.8-acre parcel which listed as suburban by the Town of Stonington. The leased area can be accessed from Lantern Hill Road using an unimproved gravel right-of-way road.
Fieldstone walls and fencing segments are visible along portions of the parcel boundary. On the eastern boundary of the parcel, a gravel right-of-way runs north-south direction and can be accessed from Lantern Hill Road. Whitford Brook flows parallel to the western boundary of the parcel/leased area. The land is flat with dirt farm roads. The land is classified as prime farmland soils. Feed corn is currently being grown on the parcel.
The leased area would be ideal for the organic no-till cultivation of low-growing vegetables, strawberries, annual flower production, or sheep grazing. A seven-foot-high chain-link fence will enclose the solar array with a locking vehicle access gate. The growing area within the solar project fence consists of approximately 31-rows of solar panels with 13.5-foot wide aisles between linear rows of solar panels. Planting will need to accommodate an underground conduit at a depth of 24-inches. Use of hand management techniques and walk-behind no-till tractors will be allowable. The solar modules will be around 10 feet above the final grade with roughly two to three feet of ground clearance. No crops are to be grown directly beneath the panels.
Pesticides and herbicides may be used with permission from the landowners and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Greenskies is interested in building relationships with local third-party farmers to grow crops or raise sheep within this fenced solar array. Want to learn more? We'd love to talk with you about this opportunity for agricultural with solar dual-use.
About Greenskies Clean Focus
Greenskies Clean Focus offers a full suite of renewable energy solutions to commercial, public sector, and utility energy users throughout the US. Our vertical integration delivers the most cost-competitive solar, battery storage, and low-carbon solutions. From beginning to end, our customers work with a single delivery team. Greenskies originates, develops, constructs, and operates, while Clean Focus finances and owns the systems.
Founded in 2009, Greenskies has constructed and operates 270 MW of solar projects across 515 sites in 19 states. Greenskies is the solar partner of choice for landowners, municipalities, and large corporations. Our customers include 51% of Connecticut municipalities and three of the top five US corporate solar users, Amazon, Walmart & Target. In addition, Solar Power World ranked Greenskies the number one commercial solar developer in the US, based on cumulative kW of installations. For more information, please visit www.greenskies.com
