AES’ Cayuga Solar project is a planned photovoltaic electric generating facility in the Town of Lansing, Tompkins County, New York. We are committed to responsible clean energy development that creates long-term value and positive impact for both the environment and local communities.
Project Updates
Community Meeting
Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Lansing Community Center (25 Auburn Road Lansing, NY 14882)
RSVP: Requested, not required. Contact cayugasolar@aes.com
Please join AES for a Community Meeting regarding the Cayuga Solar Project, a 60 MW solar energy generation facility. All community members and other stakeholders are invited to drop in between 5:00-7:00 PM. Light refreshments will be provided. The Cayuga Solar Project (the Project) is located in the Town of Lansing, Tompkins County, New York.
At the Community Meeting, informational display boards will be set up around the room. There will not be a formal presentation. Project representatives, including Development and Permitting team members, will be available to provide information and answer questions about the Project and the Article VIII (formerly Section 94-c) permitting process. Local participation and input are encouraged.
AES will provide information on
- the future application date and process for the Siting Permit for the Project,
- the availability of local agency account funding to community groups, including how and when to access available funding.
If you have any accessibility needs (ex. ASL interpretation) please email cayugasolar@aes.com by September 25th. We may not be able to accommodate every request after that time.
Project overview
60 MW solar
Enough clean energy to power 18,281 New York homes annually
Tompkins County, NY
Project details
- Sited on approximately 500 acres of privately owned land
- AES will be the long-term owner and operator of the facility
- At the end of the project's life, a decommissioning plan allows for the land to return to agricultural use or other uses consistent with land-use policies at the time
Expected project timeline
- Development – Siting – Permitting 2020-2026
- Construction 2026-2028
- Operations 2028
Environmental benefits
We believe in being a good neighbor, ensuring responsible clean energy development that benefits both the environment and local communities without burdening existing infrastructure.
83,350 metric tons of CO2
Carbon-free electricity generated each year, improving air quality and reducing CO2 emissions
Clean energy benefits local communities
- Long-term tax revenue to counties, towns, and school districts
- Job creation during construction and operation
- Landowner income diversification, keeping land in the family
- Local economic stimulus during construction
- Affordable, reliable, locally produced clean energy
- Improved air quality and reduced CO2 emissions
- Social impact funding to area community organizations and non-profits
- Non-permanent development and low-impact construction that ensures land can be sensitively restored to pre-project conditions at the end of the project’s life
Best practices in responsible and sustainable development
At AES, safety is our highest priority, and we’ve focused on improving lives for more than 40 years. As a leading innovator in energy solutions, sustainability is core to both our strategy and our culture. We are committed to responsible land use and incorporating sustainable best practices into the entire project lifecycle, contributing to building a domestic circular renewables economy and reducing foreign dependence.
Environmental and technical studies
We conduct a series of studies that ensure our projects are thoughtfully and responsibly designed.
- Bullet list of completed or on-going studies:
- Completed: Wetland Delineation
- Completed: Wildlife Site Characterization Report
- Completed: Pre-Construction ALTA Survey
- Completed: Preliminary Hydrology Study
- Completed: Phase IA Archaeological Study
- Completed: Breeding Bird Surveys
- Ongoing: Phase IB Archaeological Study
- Ongoing: Phase I ESA
- Ongoing: Phase II ESA
- Ongoing: Winter Raptor Surveys
- Ongoing: Geotechnical Survey
AES partners with Tompkins Cortland Community College to foster workforce development
AES is proud to have partnered with Tompkins Cortland Community College, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to workforce development. This collaboration aims to support and nurture the next generation of professionals by providing valuable opportunities for career exploration and growth.
We participated in the Job and Internship Fair on March 22, 2023. This event was a fantastic platform to connect with potential employees and build meaningful relationships that will contribute to our mutual success.
Moreover, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tompkins Cortland Community College for inviting us to be a “Career Exploration Week Sponsor.” We are honored to support these events and contribute to the career development of students and community members.
Meet your AES team
Jack Donelan
Development Manager
Peggy Grant
Permitting Manager
Diana Boylan
Associate Developer
Neely Kelley
Stakeholder Relations Manager
Contact us
We want to hear from you! We appreciate your interest in AES’ Cayuga Solar Project.
Email: cayugasolar@aes.com
Phone number: 866-757-7697
Stay Updated
If you would like to be designated as a Project Stakeholder and added to the Project's Master Stakeholder List, please fill out the following form. Individuals and groups on this list receive mailed copies of the regulatory project notices required by Article VIII.