In 2019, NYSERDA awarded a contract to EDF Renewables for the construction of its proposed Morris Ridge Solar Energy Center project, engineered to generate 177 megawatts of solar electricity. The Morris Ridge project consists of six pods of ground-mounted solar arrays on approximately 1000 acres of leased, private land in the Town of Mount Morris in Livingston County, NY. EDF Renewables plans to incorporate provisions for the co-location of agricultural activities within the Morris Ridge Solar Energy sites. This includes managed sheep grazing to control vegetation under and around the solar panels and beekeeping—as well as honey production—sustained by pollinator-friendly plant life. The Town of Mount Morris commissioned a research study to answer questions about the nascent solar-agricultural industry, assess opportunities to attract farmers to the EDF Renewables Morris Ridge Solar Energy Center, and identify viable markets for solar-raised products. Hosted by United Solar Energy Supporters
Presenters: Julie Shiflett, PhD., Juniper Economic Consulting Dave DiSalvo, Deputy Town Supervisor of Mount Morris Kevin Campbell, Senior Manager, Development, EDF Renewables Nicole Manapol, Director, Letchworth Gateway Villages
Facilitator: Lewis Fox, American Solar Grazing Association