Catalyze Solar Farm Brings Renewable Energy to Upstate New York

Catalyze, a company that helps transition to cleaner energy sources and caters to commercial and industrial customers, just had the opening of its solar farm located in Amherst, New York. The 6.4 MW farm will be producing renewable energy for the use of Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, which assists people on low- to mid-level incomes. Ampion, a platform specializing in the management of community solar subscriptions, added the BMHA to its portfolio. Over 1,300 homes are subscribed to the solar farm in the Town of Amherst. This solar farm is assisting the Town satisfy its obligations as a NYSERDA Clean Energy Community, and helping New York State in its objectives of raised distributed solar power production as well as necessary initiatives to support disadvantaged communities. “We are excited to be part of New York’s ambitions to construct a strong electricity grid operated by renewable energy, and our objective of achieving 6 GW of distributed solar by 2025, 70 percent renewable energy in 2030, and 40 percent of clean energy investments benefiting disadvantaged communities,” states Steve Luker, CEO of Catalyze. Amherst provides the opportunity for everyone to reap the benefits of reduced energy costs and renewable energy sources through community solar projects. A local landowner employs a herd of sheep, along with their own shepherding, to keep the vegetation under control during grazing season at the solar farm. This gives the property owner an additional source of income without significantly affecting the solar array location. Residents in Amherst can now take advantage of a new approach to capitalize on a green energy marketplace. Catalyze is owned by financial firms such as EnCap Investments LP and Actis.