The 3.59 MW Elk Street solar project illustrates CleanCapital’s brownfield development expertise and the company’s ongoing commitment to distributed energy generation and the revitalization of underutilized land.
Situated just north of the Buffalo River on an 11-acre site formerly used as part of an ExxonMobil tank farm, the solar project transforms a capped and lined brownfield adjacent to a water treatment facility into a productive energy asset for the City of Buffalo.
The project is projected to produce over 4,100 MWh annually and contribute meaningfully to New York’s long-term clean energy goals. The site will deliver affordable solar energy to local residents—including low- and moderate-income households—through the National Grid’s Expanded Solar for All (E-SFA) program.
The Elk Street Solar project is part of CleanCapital’s West Elk Fork (WEF) portfolio, joining two other New York-based projects—West Shore in West Park and Fork in the Road in Milan. All three projects provide renewable energy to National Grid customers, enhancing grid reliability, stabilizing energy pricing, and expanding access to community solar across New York.
“CleanCapital is excited to bring the Elk Street Solar project online and to continue our investment in distributed generation and brownfield development,” said Paul Curran, Chief Development Officer at CleanCapital. “This project exemplifies how solar energy can make a local impact for communities, support grid resiliency, and deliver real benefits to residents of Buffalo.”
The U.S. is in a race to scale energy sources to keep up with fast-growing energy demand. Due to the expansion of AI, data centers, and transportation electrification, energy demand will increase 2% annually and up to 50% by 2050.
