Catalyze announces the inauguration of two solar projects in Lancaster, New York

The projects are built on a former landfill and will provide renewable electricity to commercial off-takers 

Lancaster, NY – December 14, 2023 – Catalyze, a clean energy transition company that finances, builds, owns and operates solar and battery storage systems, today announced the operation of two solar sites, totaling over 12 MWdc, in Lancaster, New York. 

The first site is a 6.63 MWdc community solar project with Finger Lakes Health as the anchor commercial utility off-taker. The second 6.06 MWdc site will offer remote net crediting, providing an additional opportunity for the off-takers. While the sites are co-located, they are connected to the New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) distribution infrastructure by two different interconnection points. Ampion, a community solar subscription management company, enrolled Finger Lakes Health, the Town of Hector’s municipal sites, and other subscribers to the sites.

AC Power, a woman-owned development company specializing in transforming previously disturbed land into productive solar fields, initially developed the two projects. Catalyze now owns and operates the two solar sites on what was formerly a landfill. These projects will support New York’s goals of expanding clean energy access to commercial users and its target of 6 GW of distributed solar by 2025, and 70 percent renewable energy by 2030. 

“We’re proud to support New York’s efforts in expanding solar energy access to commercial and mass market energy users that may not have the option of putting solar on their own building,” said Jared Haines, CEO of Catalyze. “This project further demonstrates renewable energy’s role in supporting local economies, and we will continue to look for opportunities that both accelerate the clean energy transition and create value from unused space.”

“In working alongside Catalyze, we’ve managed to turn a once dormant landfill into a source of clean energy, contributing to New York’s ambitious renewable energy targets,” said AC Power founder and CEO Annika Colston. “This project is a shining example of how solar development can not only offset land maintenance costs but also transform a challenge into a revenue-generating asset, all while supporting the community and the environment.”

About Catalyze

Catalyze is a national Energy Transition Partner that develops, finances, owns, and operates integrated renewable assets, and combines its proprietary technology, financial strength, and battery and solar energy savvy to deliver standardized, yet configurable systems that meet their partners’ unique needs. These offerings enable commercial and industrial property owners, operating companies, and their customers to extract greater value from their assets, take increased responsibility and ownership of their energy profile, and ultimately become part of the clean energy transition. Catalyze owns two proprietary technologies – REenergyzeⓇ, an origination-to-operations software integration platform that helps accelerate and scale the nationwide adoption of commercial and industrial solar and storage, and SolarStrapⓇ, a proprietary mounting technology to install rooftop panels. Catalyze is backed by leading energy investors EnCap Investments L.P. and Actis. To learn more, visit www.catalyze.com.

About AC Power, LLC

AC Power is a mission driven, woman-owned business specializing in transforming previously disturbed sites such as closed landfills, sand pits, quarries, and former coal mines into productive solar PV facilities. Our team recognizes the challenges and potential risks associated with developing previously disturbed sites, including legislative or regulatory hurdles, natural resource concerns, and existing environmental conditions. We pride ourselves on our ability to proactively address these concerns and mitigate risks from the outset, to successfully bring solar PV facilities to operation. https://www.acpowerllc.com/

About EnCap Investments L.P.

Since 1988, EnCap Investments has been a leading provider of growth capital to the independent sector of the U.S. energy industry. The firm has raised 24 institutional investment funds totaling approximately $40 billion and currently manages capital on behalf of more than 350 U.S. and international investors. Founded in 2019, the EnCap Energy Transition platform is led by four Managing Partners, each with 30-35 years of experience in the development and operations of renewables and power generation. For more information, please visit www.encapinvestments.com.

About Actis

Actis is a leading global investor in sustainable infrastructure. Actis has raised $US25 billion since inception and has more than US$15 billion of assets under management. A team of over 120 investment professionals operates from 17 offices across five continents. Actis’ global experience, operational know-how and strong culture allows it to build and operate global sustainability leaders of scale, while delivering competitive returns for institutional investors and measurable positive impact for the countries, cities and communities in which it operates. Actis is a signatory to the United Nations backed Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), an investor initiative developed by the UNEP FI and the UN Global Compact. The firm has consistently been awarded the highest rating score in the UNPRI independent assessment. www.act.is