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FORCE: Supporting Local Energy Infrastructure, Clean Power, and Community Growth

FORCE is developing a 20-acre solar microgrid in Washington County designed to generate renewable energy for New York State while strengthening local energy infrastructure. The project will bring infrastructure upgrades, economic activity, and pollinator-friendly land stewardship to the region.

Project Overview

The Focus on Rural Community Energy (FORCE) solar microgrid in Washington County is a community-scale renewable energy project designed to expand clean power production while supporting long-term environmental stewardship. This solar installation will generate renewable electricity that is delivered directly into New York’s energy grid, helping strengthen regional energy resilience while contributing to the state’s clean energy goals.

Project at a Glance

Location: Washington County, New York
Site Size: 20 acres
Energy Capacity: 4–8 megawatts
Annual Energy Production: 10+ million kilowatt-hours
Construction Timeline: Approximately 12–18 months
Jobs Created: 100–150 direct and indirect jobs

What This Project Is

A renewable energy microgrid generating solar electricity
A local infrastructure project strengthening New York’s power grid
A pollinator-friendly site supporting environmental stewardship

What This Project Is Not

Not a fossil fuel or industrial power plant
Not a facility storing hazardous materials
Not a development that interferes with nearby walking trails

Strengthening Clean Energy Infrastructure for New York’s Future

New York is rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity as part of its transition to a lower-carbon energy system. Solar installations like the FORCE solar microgrid in Washington County help generate clean electricity while strengthening the infrastructure that powers communities across the state.

By producing renewable energy locally and connecting it to the broader grid, projects like this help improve energy reliability, support environmental goals, and contribute to a more resilient power network for the future.

Why Renewable Energy Projects Matter Now

Growing Energy Demand

Communities across New York require additional electricity capacity as populations grow and technology increases overall energy use.

Statewide Clean Energy Goals

New York is expanding renewable energy generation to reduce carbon emissions and transition toward a more sustainable energy system.

Modernizing Energy Infrastructure

Local energy generation helps strengthen the broader grid by improving reliability and diversifying energy sources.

Supporting Long-Term Energy Resilience

Renewable energy projects help create a more flexible and resilient energy network capable of supporting communities for decades to come.

How the Solar Microgrid Benefits Washington County

The FORCE solar microgrid in Washington County does more than generate clean electricity. It also brings infrastructure upgrades, economic activity, employment opportunities, and environmental stewardship that support the long-term wellbeing of the region.

Modern Energy Infrastructure

To support the microgrid, the project will install new underground transmission lines and contribute to upgrades at nearby substations. These improvements strengthen the regional energy network and help modernize the infrastructure that communities depend on.

Local Economic Activity

During the 12–18 month construction period, the project will bring new spending into the local economy. Construction crews support local restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and other service businesses throughout Washington County.

Job Creation

Renewable energy projects can create meaningful skilled employment opportunities. The solar microgrid is expected to generate 100–150 direct and indirect jobs during construction. This includes work in electrical installation, engineering, site preparation, and infrastructure upgrades.

Environmental Stewardship

Once operational, the site will be planted with pollinator-friendly vegetation and deep-rooted native plant species. This creates a 20-acre pollinator corridor that supports bees, birds, and butterflies while improving soil health. As pollinators return the Washington County farm belt will be strengthened.

Responsible Land Stewardship

The FORCE solar microgrid in Washington County will be built on approximately 20 acres of wooded land owned by FORCE. Preparing the site requires clearing trees so solar panels can receive direct sunlight and operate efficiently. We recognize that this landscape is part of the local environment and meaningful to nearby residents. The project is being designed with long-term stewardship in mind. Renewable energy development can coexist with responsible land stewardship — helping protect the environment while strengthening the region’s energy future.

Designed for Long-Term Environmental Protection

Respect for the Surrounding Landscape

The project is being developed with careful planning to ensure it fits responsibly within the surrounding environment. Solar panels are low-profile structures, and site planning helps maintain the natural character of the area as much as possible.

Pollinator-Friendly Habitat

After construction, the site will be planted with pollinator-friendly vegetation and deep-rooted native plant species that support bees, butterflies, and birds while improving soil health. This approach transforms the site into a managed pollinator corridor that contributes to regional ecosystem health.

Preserving Nearby Trails

The solar installation does not interfere with nearby walking trails or recreational areas. FORCE is coordinating with BBC the organization that stewards the trails to ensure the project coexists respectfully with surrounding recreation spaces.

How the Solar Microgrid Works

The FORCE solar microgrid in Washington County is designed to generate renewable electricity locally and strengthen New York’s broader energy system. The process is straightforward and relies on well-established solar technology.
1

Solar Energy Generation

Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity using photovoltaic technology
2

Local Power Conversion

The electricity produced is routed through inverters — devices that convert electricity into grid-ready power.
3

Grid Connection

Underground transmission lines deliver the electricity to local infrastructure in Washington County and nearby substations that connect with New York State’s power grid.
4

Battery Storage Support

Battery systems provide storage capacity that helps stabilize energy supply and improve grid resilience.
5

Environmental Stewardship

The site is maintained with pollinator-friendly vegetation that supports biodiversity while the system produces clean energy.

What Happens Next

Large infrastructure projects are developed in phases. The FORCE solar microgrid in Washington County will move through several stages as planning, construction, and grid integration take place. While the exact schedule will depend on permitting and infrastructure coordination, the overall development process is expected to take approximately 18–24 months.

Project Phases

Phase 1 — Site Preparation

The project begins with preparing the land and installing early infrastructure. This phase includes land clearing, site grading, and preparation for underground transmission lines.

Phase 2 — Solar Installation

Solar panels and supporting infrastructure are installed across the 20-acre site. This stage also includes electrical installation and additional site preparation.

Phase 3 — Grid Connection

The final phase connects the microgrid to the regional energy system through substation upgrades and underground transmission lines.

Early Success and Next Steps

Community Readiness

FORCE is working with community stakeholders and funding partners to advance the first installation of this solar microgrid infrastructure model in rural New York. Early planning work, site preparation, and funding exploration are already underway to support responsible project development.

Progress to Date

Submitted land survey and plot plan to the Village of Cambridge
Completed feasibility study — estimated wattage, yield and solar panel installation cost
Consulted arborist and tagged trees for removal

Next Step

Develop bid kit to request estimates from subcontractors and consultants

Show Your Support for Local Clean Energy

Community voices matter in infrastructure development. When residents express support for responsible energy projects, it helps demonstrate that local communities value investment in modern, reliable energy systems. By adding your name to the Community Support Registry, you help show that Washington County residents care about strengthening energy infrastructure, supporting environmental stewardship, and building a resilient energy future for New York. Adding your name simply indicates your support for the project and your interest in responsible clean energy development in the region.

Support Local Clean Energy

Add your name to the registry to show that members of the Washington County community support responsible renewable energy development. Your support helps demonstrate community interest in projects that strengthen the regional energy system and contribute to a cleaner energy future.

Stay Informed About the Project

If you would like to receive updates as the project progresses, you can also choose to receive occasional information about development milestones and construction progress. Your contact information will be used only for project communication and will never be shared publicly.

Connect With the FORCE Team

If you have questions about the FORCE solar microgrid in Washington County, would like to explore partnership opportunities, or want to learn more about the project, the FORCE team would be happy to hear from you. Use the form below to send a message and a member of the team will respond as soon as possible.
Contact FORCE

Your Questions Answered

Community members often have questions about how new infrastructure projects work and what they mean for the surrounding area. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive.

No. The electricity generated by the FORCE solar microgrid in Washington County will power local infrastructure and be delivered into New York State’s power grid rather than directly to individual homes. By contributing clean energy to local infrastructure and the grid, the project helps strengthen the overall energy system that serves communities across the state.

Solar panels must receive direct sunlight to generate electricity efficiently. Preparing the 20-acre site requires clearing trees so the solar installation can operate effectively. After construction, the site will be replanted with pollinator-friendly vegetation and native plants that supports bees, butterflies, and other beneficial species.

No. The solar installation will not interfere with nearby walking trails or recreational areas. The project team is coordinating with neighboring landowners to ensure surrounding recreation spaces remain accessible.

Some portions of the installation may be visible depending on location and elevation. Solar panels are low-profile structures designed to sit close to the ground, and the project will include landscaping and vegetation where appropriate to help the installation blend into the surrounding environment.

The installation will cover approximately 20 acres and is designed to generate between 4 and 8 megawatts of electricity. Once operational, it is expected to produce more than 10 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity each year, contributing clean energy to New York’s grid.

Yes. During the construction phase, the project is expected to create 100–150 direct and indirect jobs, including work in electrical installation, engineering, site preparation, construction; as well as, groundskeepers, maintenance, and administration. Local businesses may also see increased spending from workers supporting the project.

Construction is expected to take approximately 12–18 months, depending on permitting, infrastructure coordination, and weather conditions. Development occurs in phases, beginning with site preparation and ending with connection to the regional energy grid.

Solar panels typically operate for 25–35 years. At the end of their useful life, the panels and equipment can be safely removed, recycled through established solar panel recycling programs, and replaced with new panels. Renewable energy projects are designed with long-term lifecycle planning so sites can be responsibly restored with newer technology.

NEED owns the land where the project will be built. The project is being developed by FORCE, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing renewable energy infrastructure in rural communities. FORCE is responsible for coordinating development and partnerships required to bring the project online.

The project brings several benefits to the region, including infrastructure upgrades, construction employment, support for local businesses during development, and the creation of pollinator-friendly habitat across the site. It also contributes clean electricity to New York’s energy system.

Residents can sign the Community Support Registry on this page to express support for responsible clean energy development and receive project updates. Community interest helps demonstrate that local residents value investments in modern energy infrastructure.

Names added to the Community Support Registry help demonstrate that local residents are aware of the project and support responsible clean energy development in the community.

The registry may be shared with project partners, grant providers, and public agencies as part of demonstrating community awareness and engagement. Only the number of names on the list will be shared. Our policy is not to pulish the list publicly or share it with public officials. In rare instances, the list may be viewed by a grantor or funders to verify accuracy of the number of names on the list.

Adding your name simply indicates that you support the project and would like to stay informed. It is not connected to any political campaign or ballot initiative.