FAQs
How did this project come about?
The City of Peekskill issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for community-owned solar development projects on city-owned properties. The project development team, which includes Ecological Citizen’s Project and Working Power was awarded the RFP in April 2024. While several city-owned sites were identified and reviewed, like rooftops and parking lots, the Camp Field Reservoir was ultimately selected as the best site for the project by the City of Peekskill.
Who owns this solar panel system?
The project owners will own the solar panel system in a 50/50 split through a joint LLC called Working Power ECP. The City does not own the system and neither the City nor its residents are responsible for paying for construction, operations, or maintenance. The City will, however, receive lease payments annually from the project.
What cost does the city or its taxpayers incur?
NONE. The project is fully funded by the project owners, resulting in no cost to the City or its residents.
What materials are the solar panels made of?
The panels are composed of glass (>80%), aluminum (8%), plastic (7%), silicon (2%) and metal (1%), and carry IEC 61730 and UL 61730 safety certifications, ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification, and a Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) certification. The RoHS is an EU certification, which sets stricter safety limits compared to U.S. regulations. There are no per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the panels.
What materials are the floats made of?
They are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a material widely used in municipal water infrastructure, including drinking water pipes and storage tanks and are food-grade compliant. The HDPE is UV-stabilized for long-term outdoor exposure with a service life of over 50 years, and does not contain phthalates, BPA, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The float system is certified to BS 6920:2000, a UK standard that tests non-metallic materials for safe contact with drinking water. The floats are also certified to NSF 61, NSF 14 and AWWA C901/C906 potable water safety standards.
How will the water be tested to ensure water safety and quality?
The Peekskill Water Department already conducts regular water testing on the reservoir using its current regimen for over 125 contaminants. It will also conduct additional tests for aluminum and dissolved oxygen, as required by the NYS DOH. These additional tests will be paid for by the project owners, not the city water department. All drinking water from the Camp Field Reservoir undergoes extensive processing at the water treatment plant before distribution.
What is being done to ensure the environment is not negatively impacted?
The Peekskill Planning Commission is conducting an environmental review according to the NYS Department of Conservation State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). SEQR requires all local government agencies to study environmental impacts along with social and economic considerations for a project during review. They must also coordinate the review with the other agencies involved with this project, including the NYS Department of Health, Westchester County Department of Health, NYS Department of Conservation, Historical Preservation Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Town of Cortlandt, and Peekskill Common Council. You can learn more about the SEQR process here.
The most comprehensive ecological evaluation of the same float system that is proposed for the Camp Field Reservoir was performed by WRA Consultants for the State of California. The report concluded that potential adverse effects to wildlife at man-made operational waterbodies are limited. The float materials meet strict safety standards, will not deteriorate in weather or sunlight, and do not leach chemicals over time. Installation is non-invasive, typically completed via the water’s surface by boat or floating pad, thereby causing no disruption to the underwater vegetation. Animals living on land will still have the same access to the water for drinking, and fish can benefit from reduced algal blooms and water temperature stabilization provided by the shade of the panels. The rounded underside of the floats contains no wires, cables, or strings, so there is no entanglement hazard for animals.
Have any third party experts weighed in on water quality, health and safety risks?
Yes, Arcadis, a global sustainability engineering firm, has reviewed the proposed project and the current floating photovoltaic landscape and has determined:
“Based on our review, we do not see unacceptable negative water quality impacts as a likely outcome and believe that ongoing monitoring can be used to preemptively identify any impacts that could occur.”
What about decommissioning the solar installation?
The expected lifespan of the project is 30 years. At that point, the operator may choose to continue operation by replacing panels and refurbishing system components to extend service life, fully decommission the array, or keep array running as is. A removal and decommissioning plan is posted at the start of the project, ensuring funds from the project owner are set aside up front to fully remove the system at end of life. If decommissioned, the system is built for clean removal with the components separated for recycling.
How much land is disturbed during construction? How are the panels installed on the water?
During construction, 0.11 acres of land will be temporarily disturbed for material staging and building a wooden float launch platform on the shore of the reservoir. The panels are secured to the reservoir shore under the water surface by anchors which are installed by boat. After installation, the float launch platform will be deconstructed.
Will the floating solar system create stormwater runoff?
No, the installation and operation of the system will not create stormwater runoff. The construction team will utilize a filter sock around the areas of temporary disturbance (0.11 acres) in order to minimize any chance of runoff.
How will the floating array impact the reservoir?
Floating solar panels shade the water’s surface which has several benefits including stabilizing water temperature and slowing evaporation. The panels also reduce sunlight penetrating the surface of the water, helping to prevent harmful algae bloom and thereby reducing the frequency for chemical treatments. These benefits help protect both water quality and reservoir levels over time.
What happens during extreme weather events?
The system is designed to stand up to any extreme hail, wind, and snow that may occur in this region of New York. In the event that damage is sustained, the system that monitors the solar array 24/7 will trigger the comprehensive environmental response plan, automatically shutting down the damaged panels within seconds and initiating protocols to respond within one hour of the incident.