Cider Solar Farm Begins Major Construction in NY
Slice of Energy Team
May 21, 2025
Key highlights
- New York’s largest solar farm begins full-scale construction
- Cider to generate 1 million MWh annually, powering ~120,000 homes
- $100M projected economic benefit for Genesee County
- Supports hundreds of union jobs with a Project Labor Agreement
- Incorporates agrivoltaics with rotational sheep grazing
Notable Quotes
“ We are pleased to begin major construction on New York’s largest solar energy project yet. Cider offers tangible economic benefits to Genesee County communities and the broader region, and it represents an important milestone in New York’s clean energy transition that will power the state forward for years to come. ”
Dan de Boer, Interim CEO and Head of Infrastructure at Greenbacker
“ Our union is pleased to provide local, highly skilled labor supporting Cider’s construction. While this is an important moment for New York’s green energy ambitions, it is an even bigger indicator of the growing strength of our state’s specialized workforce—which is drawn chiefly from labor unions like ours—to support projects like Cider in the Empire State. ”
Chris Austin, Business Manager at Carpenters Local 276
Why This Matters
The commencement of major construction on the Cider Solar Farm represents a landmark achievement in New York State’s clean energy roadmap. Not only will it become the largest solar project in the state’s history, but it also showcases how large-scale renewables can simultaneously bolster local economies, create union jobs, and integrate sustainable agricultural practices. With $950 million in secured financing and innovative agrivoltaic applications, Cider is a flagship project that reflects the next generation of clean infrastructure—economically strategic, environmentally responsible, and deeply community-rooted.
