Ghent's Solar Success
The Town of Ghent hosts the ELP Ghent Solar project, a 4.3 MW community solar installation located at 1023 Union Turnpike Road that achieved commercial operation in November 2021.
What This Means for Ghent
- Tax revenue — PILOT payments support local services and schools
- Community solar access — Residents can subscribe and save on electricity
- Environmental benefits — Offsetting approximately 4,300 tons of CO2 annually
- Quiet operation — No noise, no traffic, no pollution
- Preserved open space — Not developed for housing or commercial use
- Local clean energy — Power generated in the community
Town Resources
Learn more about Ghent and its local government:
- Town of Ghent Official Website — townofghent.org
- Town Board — Meets third Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM
- Planning Board — Town planning and development information
- Town Hall — 2306 State Route 66, Ghent, NY 12075 | Phone: (518) 392-4644
Living Near Solar: The Reality
Ghent residents have firsthand experience with utility-scale solar since the project began operations in 2021. 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 Ghent or anywhere else in Columbia County.
Community Solar for Ghent Residents
Ghent residents can subscribe to community solar—including potentially the project in their own town:
- No rooftop panels needed — Subscribe and receive bill credits
- Typical savings of 10% — Lower electricity costs
- Support local clean energy — Power from your community
- No installation costs or fees — Just savings and clean energy
Learn how community solar works →
About Ghent
Ghent is a town in the Hudson Valley of Columbia County with a population of approximately 5,300 and covering 45.4 square miles. Founded in 1818 from parts of Chatham, Claverack, and Kinderhook, it sits centrally in the county northeast of Hudson.
The town's mix of agriculture, rural residences, and commercial activity makes it representative of many Hudson Valley communities navigating the balance between preservation and progress.
The Bigger Picture
Ghent's solar project is one of several developed by East Light Partners in Columbia County. Together with projects in Claverack, Livingston, and others, these installations prove that solar can coexist with Columbia County's rural character while providing real benefits to residents and local governments.