A Western New York real estate and solar development company has agreed in principle to work with the Shanghai New Energy Industry Association to equip a Buffalo, New York-area business park with solar power.
Montante Development announced on Monday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese organization, which is made up of 300 companies specializing in the renewable energy sector, to begin incorporating solar energy developments into New York to help consumers and companies reduce their carbon footprint while saving on energy costs.
"We are honored to enter into an agreement with one of the world’s largest and most knowledgeable solar products groups," said Thomas Montante, the company's president. "We believe China-based investment will help grow our local economy, create jobs and make Buffalo Niagara and New York State prominent players in both the generation of solar power and the manufacture and distribution of solar hardware."
The agreement comes as Montante is working to develop its solar energy program. As a demonstration of their "solar and real estate development competencies," the company will install a solar energy generator at the 180-acre Riverview Commerce Park.
The business park will be renamed the Riverview Solar Technology Park, and will expand its solar plans to include powering the common areas of two existing multi-tenant buildings completely with solar energy. The site will also be the basis for research and development activities related to solar farm development.