SolarBank Corporation has announced a partnership with Viridi, a leading provider of fail-safe battery energy storage systems (BESS), for the development of a 3.06 MW DC ground-mount solar power project and a 1.2 MWh battery energy storage system in Buffalo, New York. The project will be built on a closed landfill site, repurposing previously unusable land to generate clean energy for the community.
SolarBank intends to own the project, subject to securing the necessary financing, while Viridi will supply the battery energy storage system. Viridi’s lithium-ion battery packs incorporate advanced fire suppression and anti-propagation technology, ensuring a high level of safety. Unlike conventional systems that rely on modifying battery cells, Viridi’s approach isolates each cell to prevent thermal runaway, meaning that a single battery failure does not lead to a chain reaction. This design eliminates secondary hazards, making Viridi’s energy storage solutions among the safest and most versatile for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
Their technology is suitable for Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), grid-scale stabilization, and mobile power solutions for remote and commercial sites. SolarBank has secured a lease for the project site and has applied for interconnection approval. Upon successful approval, the company will proceed with obtaining the necessary permits and securing financing for construction. Once all approvals and funding are in place, construction will begin.
Once completed, the project will operate as a community solar initiative. Community solar projects consist of solar panel systems connected to the local electricity grid, enabling residents and businesses to access solar energy without the need for individual rooftop installations. Participants in the program receive credits on their electricity bills based on the amount of energy generated, providing cost savings while promoting clean energy adoption.
The project is subject to several risks, including securing interconnection approvals, obtaining community solar contracts, acquiring necessary permits, and ensuring continued access to third-party financing. Additionally, potential changes in government policies or reductions in solar energy incentives could impact the project’s financial viability. Further details on these risks can be found in the “Forward-Looking Statements” section of this announcement.
