New York power

Generates renewable electricity from sunlight, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 820 homes for a year.*

Air quality & health in Rensselaer County

Rensselaer County has a population of 159,305. Across five conditions the American Lung Association tracks — childhood asthma, adult asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease — it reports a combined 32,994 cases in the county.

No ozone or particle pollution grades are available for this county in the most recent report. The figures above describe how many residents live with conditions sensitive to air quality — not measured pollution levels.

Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to certain health conditions, particularly for children and older adults. Where electricity comes from affects how much combustion pollution is produced on the grid.

These figures describe the county as a whole and are not specific to this facility. Sources: American Lung Association – State of the Air (New York); U.S. EPA Air Quality Index.

The story behind this New York renewable energy facility

Of New York’s 567 solar plants in this category, Dusenberry in Troy ranks #72 by 2024 electricity produced. It has operated since 2021 and uses solar photovoltaic technology, meaning panels that turn sunlight directly into electricity.

In 2024 it produced 8.2 gigawatt-hours, which is roughly enough to power about 820 homes (a gigawatt-hour is a unit for measuring a large amount of electricity). Its capacity is 5.0 MW, or megawatts, the most power it can deliver at one moment. Because sunlight is carbon-free, the plant generates power without burning fuel.

Environmental impact

Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 3,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year compared with producing the same electricity from the national mix of power sources — about the same as keeping about 1,200 tons of waste out of a landfill.*

Nearby places worth exploring

Troy sits along the Hudson River and is home to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which gives the city a lively, college-town feel. To the east, Grafton Lakes State Park offers ponds and trails in the hills.

Local school district

Lansingburgh Central School District

Common questions

* Homes-powered and emissions comparisons are annual estimates based on national averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Homes powered” describes a quantity of electricity, not direct service to specific households. How we calculate this.