Clermont's Solar Project
The Town of Clermont hosts the ELP Roe Jan Solar project, a 3.9 MW community solar installation on 10 acres at 109 Mill Road. Developed by East Light Partners with an estimated value of $5 million, this project has been operating successfully and providing clean energy to the region.
What This Means for Clermont
- Tax revenue — PILOT payments support local services and schools including Germantown Central School District
- Community solar access — Residents can subscribe and save on electricity
- Environmental impact — Offsetting approximately 3,900 tons of CO₂ emissions annually
- Quiet operation — No noise, no traffic, no pollution
- Preserved open space — Agricultural land generating clean energy
- Local clean energy — Power generated in the community
Town Resources
For more information about Clermont and local government:
- Town of Clermont Official Website — Town government, services, and contact information
- Planning & Zoning Board — Land use and development information
- Germantown Central School District — Serving western and northern Clermont (one of three districts benefiting from PILOT payments)
- Clermont State Historic Site — The historic Livingston Manor estate
Living Near Solar: The Reality
Following a thorough environmental review, the Town of Clermont Planning Board determined that the ELP Roe Jan Solar project would not have a significant adverse environmental impact. Clermont residents now have firsthand experience with this community solar installation.
Ask anyone living near the project:
- Have property values crashed? No.
- Is there constant noise? No.
- Are there environmental problems? No.
- Has the town character been destroyed? No.
The fears that opponents raise about solar projects haven't materialized in Clermont or anywhere else in Columbia County.
Community Solar for Clermont Residents
Clermont residents can subscribe to community solar—including potentially the ELP Roe Jan project in their own town:
- No rooftop panels needed — Subscribe and receive bill credits
- Typical savings of 5-10% — Lower electricity costs with no installation fees
- Support local clean energy — Power generated in your community
- Easy enrollment — Simple subscription process, no credit check required for most programs
- Flexible terms — Cancellation policies vary by provider
Columbia County residents have access to multiple community solar providers, including partnerships with local Climate Smart Communities initiatives that help residents understand their options and savings potential.
Learn how community solar works →
About Clermont
Clermont is a town in southern Columbia County with a population of approximately 2,058 (2020 census). The name "Clermont" is French for "Clear Mountain," inspired by the spectacular views of the Catskill Mountains across the Hudson River.
The town covers 19.2 square miles and is perhaps best known as home to the Clermont State Historic Site, the former 500-acre estate of the prominent Livingston family. Seven generations of Livingstons lived on this property over more than two centuries.
Historic Significance
The Livingston family played a crucial role in American history. Robert R. Livingston, known as the "Chancellor," was a Founding Father who served on the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence and administered the presidential oath of office to George Washington in 1789. He also partnered with Robert Fulton to create the first commercially successful steamboat in 1807—the North River Steamboat, later known as the Clermont—which stopped at the estate on its inaugural voyage.
Today, Clermont State Historic Site is a New York State Historic Site and National Historic Landmark, open to the public with gardens, meadows, woodlands, and some of the best Hudson River views in the region.
Modern Clermont
Clermont's children attend three school districts: Germantown Central School District (western and northern areas), Red Hook School District (central area along Route 9), and Pine Plains School District (eastern areas). The town balances its rich historical heritage with thoughtful modern development, including renewable energy projects that benefit local services and schools.
The Bigger Picture
Clermont's solar project is one of several in Columbia County totaling approximately 36 MW. These installations prove that solar can coexist with Columbia County's rural character and historical significance while providing real benefits to residents and local governments.
The ELP Roe Jan Solar project demonstrates how communities can embrace clean energy development while preserving the qualities that make places like Clermont special—including its connection to American history and stunning natural landscape.