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Updated: August 29, 2026 @ 2:06 am
A rendering of what the proposed solar array at Trudeau Field on state Route 3 in Bloomingdale, across from the Saranac River and the school district’s bus garage would look like immediately after construction, before trees would be planted.
A rendering of what the proposed solar array at Trudeau Field on state Route 3 in Bloomingdale, across from the Saranac River and the school district’s bus garage would look like after 15 years of tree growth.
The locations of the solar arrays proposed at Trudeau Field on state Route 3 in Bloomingdale, across from the Saranac River and the school district’s bus garage.
A rendering of what the proposed solar array at Trudeau Field on state Route 3 in Bloomingdale, across from the Saranac River and the school district’s bus garage would look like immediately after construction, before trees would be planted.
BLOOMINGDALE — A public hearing on the community solar farm proposed at Trudeau Field in St. Armand has been scheduled for Sept. 10.
The 10-megawatt community solar farm has been proposed by the solar developer Our Generation at the field across from the school bus garage on state Route 3. The energy generated from these panels is proposed to be purchased by town residents at a lower rate.
A 10-megawatt farm can produce power for around 1,500 homes a year.
In June, the town council passed a one-year moratorium on commercial and community solar energy farms to give more time to adopt a local law to regulate such installations. The town does not have zoning requirements for community solar projects regulating their use or decommissioning.
The council has set a public hearing on the solar project for Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. Town Supervisor Davina Thurston said she wants to hear from town residents and particularly the neighbors of the proposed project site.
If neighbors and residents are supportive of the project, Thurston said the town would not rescind its moratorium yet, to give the council more time to draft regulation of solar farms.
Thurston said even negative feedback can be helpful, because then the town knows what it needs to change to make the project more beneficial. Respectful negative feedback, she clarified.
To attend this meeting virtually, go to meet.goto.com/594785805. To attend by phone, dial 872-240-3212 and use the access code 594-785-805.
Dan Leary, a managing partner from Our Generation, gave a presentation on the proposal at the town council’s July 21 meeting.
He said this is not an array to supply a BESS or power a data center.
“Batteries not included,” Leary said.
The farm would put electricity directly into the grid, connecting to National Grid distribution lines that run by the back of the field.
With the community solar program, up to 1,500 St. Armand residents would be able to sign up and get up to 10% reduction of their energy costs from National Grid. Leary estimated that this could save a home an average of $200 per year.
Solar in northern New York produces more energy in the spring and summer months than the cloudy winter months. Leary said the sunny, warm months are also often when more electricity is needed. During the July heatwave this year, he said community and rooftop solar arrays saved ratepayers $200 million statewide.
The project would also increase the town’s property tax revenue. Leary estimated the increase from around $600 to $14,000 in revenue per year for the town. The school district and county would also get more tax revenue.
The solar company would pay National Grid for upgrades to substations and infrastructure.
The project involves two proposed solar arrays — one in the field in view of Route 3 and one behind the tree line. Much of the grassy field is classified as wetlands and cannot hold solar panels. Most of the panels in the field would be in the north end of the field, behind the barns and structures there. The panels would extend into the field, up to around where the bus garage starts across the road.
The locations of the solar arrays proposed at Trudeau Field on state Route 3 in Bloomingdale, across from the Saranac River and the school district’s bus garage.
The solar panels would rotate throughout the day to follow the sun.
The property is owned by the Trudeau family under Trudeau’s Green Valley LLC.
Leary said the project is currently going through the Adirondack Park Agency permitting process. He said though there would be tree cutting to create the smaller array back in the trees, these trees are not old growth.
“My father logged the hell out of that,” Mark Trudeau said. “There ain’t much there.”
The power inverters for solar arrays average a noise level of 60 decibels at three feet away — around the noise level of a normal conversation. Most of this equipment will be in the back of the property. Leary said the noise level from the inverters drops around six decibels every three feet. A six-decibel drop is around a 35% reduction in perceived volume.
He also said they could use fencing and landscaping as buffers.
Leary said they would try to minimize the visual impact, but the panels will be visible from the road. He showed renderings of potential coniferous trees planted around the panels, and said they could possibly use a green privacy fence in the years before the trees take root and really start growing.
A rendering of what the proposed solar array at Trudeau Field on state Route 3 in Bloomingdale, across from the Saranac River and the school district’s bus garage would look like after 15 years of tree growth.
A fence would be installed around the arrays, to keep deer and other large animals out but allow smaller animals to pass through.
He also said they would maintain the property with sheep grazing and pollinator plants.
The Federal Aviation Administration also has design requirements for solar projects. The site is around 5.5 miles from the Adirondack Regional Airport, as the plane flies. Leary said solar panels absorb light instead of reflecting it and modern ones come with anti-reflective glass, putting off less glare than most building materials and natural environments.
Leary said that no harmful or toxic chemicals would leach from the panels, even if they are broken. He said the solar company would be obliged to train fire departments in handling fires or other emergencies at the solar arrays.
The solar panels have a 25-year output warranty and Leary said more than 85% of the material in panels can be recycled.
The project would have a decommissioning bond to cover the cost of returning the land to its current state after the contract ends. The bond would name the town as the beneficiary and escalate with inflation.
More documents about the proposed project can be found at townofstarmandny.gov/community-solar-project-trudeau-field.
To reach Aaron Marbone, email him at acerbone@adirondackdailyenterprise.com
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