Just last August, the Town of Montgomery welcomed a brand new 1.3 million-square-foot distribution center for Medline, a medical supply company that distributes and manufactures medical products. Now, less than a year later, they’re celebrating the completion of the biggest rooftop solar project in New York State.

The 7.2 megawatt project is a collaboration between Medline and PowerFlex, a national renewable energy provider. It has goals to cut energy costs for both Medline and local residents, and supports New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to install six gigawatts of solar by the year 2025 and progresses toward ten gigawatts by 2030.

The $120 million Medline facility on State Route 416 regularly distributes thousands of products to healthcare providers such as hospitals, nursing homes, surgery centers, physicians’ offices and more.

Last Thursday, Medline and PowerFlex representatives, local and government officials, as well as others gathered for the solar project’s ribbon cutting. On this same day, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of the project. “The completion of this project marks another major milestone in the Empire State and reflects a successful trend of private investment in community-centered projects that are now at the heart of our clean energy transition,” said Hochul.

The project, which will reduce carbon emission yearly, consists of roughly 17,000 rooftop solar panels and will generate 8.5 million kilowatt-hours of clean power yearly. This is enough to power over 1,600 homes and is equal to eliminating 1,200 cars from the road.

Jim Burgess, Medline’s Director of Sustainability, gave an overview of Medline’s goals. “Medline is committed to continuing to help health care be more sustainable, and advancing our solar portfolio global sustainability is and will continue to be at the forefront of Medline’s commitment to people on the planet,” said Burgess.

Some members of the audience included both NYS Assemblyman Brian Maher and Senator Rob Rolison, both of whom showed support for the solar project. “I don’t think anybody wants to see the State of New York or any community not have the power it needs to have life. So thank you Medline. Thank you for what you’re doing here on the ground in the Town of Montgomery,” said Rolison.

Vice President of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), David Sandbank discussed some ways they financed this large-scale project.

“We also had the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act which is a huge benefit. In my prediction, we’re going to see at least a doubling of deployment of renewable energy just from that federal act alone. I’ve been in the industry since 2008 [and] I’ve never seen something that’s gonna have a greater effect on our environment than the IRA, the Inflation Reduction Act. So thank you for finally getting us some federal tailwinds because that is very important because New York can’t pay for this all,” said Sandbank.

They also received nearly $5 million in private investment from PowerFlex, on top of (NYSERDA) providing over $3 million through NY-Sun.

Of course, Raphael Declercq, the CEO of PowerFlex was also present. Though he’s from California, he made the trip for the ribbon cutting. He discussed the bigger picture of solar energy at Medline.

“There’s also a huge potential to use that solar energy that’s going to be produced in the middle of the day. On a day like today, you’re going to use it in the community for air conditioning mostly, but on those days where you’re not going to use it for air conditioning, charge those cars. Use those clean electrons to charge the vehicles and make sure that it’s not only clean engines, but it’s also clean power in those engines with electricity that is produced from mostly solar. So that’s something that we’re discussing with Medline who’s been an amazing partner for us since really the inception of your solar program back in 2016,” said Declercq.

Lastly, Medline Director of Operations Tom Fallon shared a few words before gathering everyone for the ribbon cutting.

“I’m excited to see the community solar project finally completed. I’ve enjoyed watching the solar panels be installed and put on the roof, and I know the community must be as excited as well to share the benefits of this project with reduced utility bills. At the end of the day, Medline is a health care company committed to making health care run better, and this facility and project speaks to our commitment, not just to improve people’s health through health care services, but also the work we’ve done, to be a positive social and environmental steward and the tangible impact it has on health care,” Fallon mentioned.

After the ribbon was cut, guests were invited to sign a solar panel with a special marker, take a tour of the building and roof, and ask questions while grabbing a bite to eat.