Greenbacker completes $440 million tax equity financing for the 674 MW Cider solar project - the largest in New York State
MWN-AI** Summary
Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company LLC has successfully closed a significant $440 million tax equity financing for its Cider solar project in Genesee County, New York, which is set to be the largest solar installation in the state. This financing, secured from U.S. Bank and M&T Bank, represents the final funding needed to move the 674 MWdc / 500 MWac utility-scale solar farm toward its targeted commercial operation date in late 2026. With this tax equity commitment, Greenbacker aims to optimize its financial structure and advance the project significantly.
Greenbacker CEO Daniel de Boer highlighted the closing as a crucial milestone, affirming the project’s potential to be one of New York's most impactful clean energy initiatives. The project is expected to generate enough electricity to power around 120,000 homes annually, contributing to New York’s clean energy transition. Both U.S. Bank and M&T Bank expressed their commitment to fostering renewable energy development and supporting the local economy, noting the project’s role in job creation and revenue generation.
The tax equity financing leverages Investment Tax Credits (ITC), providing an essential boost to the project’s capital stack. This achievement comes on the heels of Greenbacker's nearly $1 billion financing secured earlier, demonstrating robust collaboration among various stakeholders and financial institutions.
Once operational, the Cider solar project is anticipated to generate substantial environmental benefits while creating hundreds of construction jobs and contributing approximately $100 million in revenue to the local community via property taxes and community agreements. Greenbacker continues to reinforce its mission to facilitate the transition to clean energy while delivering long-term value to its investors.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent announcement regarding Greenbacker Renewable Energy’s successful closure of a $440 million tax equity financing for the 674 MW Cider solar project is a significant development for both the company and the renewable energy sector in New York State. This milestone underscores the growing investment interest in large-scale renewable energy projects, which are critical to meeting clean energy goals.
For investors, the Cider project represents a stable opportunity within the solar energy infrastructure landscape. With an expected capacity to power 120,000 homes annually, the project not only promises considerable returns through long-term contracts with creditworthy counterparties but also aligns with increasing regulatory and societal pressure for sustainable energy solutions. Given that tax equity financing optimizes the project’s capital structure while leveraging investment tax credits (ITC), Greenbacker strategically enhances both its financial flexibility and overall project viability.
From a broader market perspective, the engagement of established banks like U.S. Bank and M&T Bank signals a robust confidence in the renewable energy sector. Their participation highlights the financial sector's evolving role in supporting the transition to sustainable infrastructure, which is likely to endure and expand as governmental policies increasingly favor clean energy investments.
Investors should consider the implications of this financing on Greenbacker’s stock as the project approaches its operational timeline in late 2026. As the clean energy market matures, companies like Greenbacker that are pioneering significant projects will not only capitalize on immediate economic benefits but potentially become leaders in a booming sector.
In conclusion, stakeholders should closely monitor the progress of the Cider solar project, as successful completion could pave the way for further investments in renewable energy. This project serves as a valuable benchmark for both potential investors and industry participants focusing on sustainable development.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company LLC (“Greenbacker”), an energy transition-focused investment manager and independent power producer, today announced the successful closing of the $440 million Tax Equity Commitment from U.S. Bank and M&T Bank for the Cider solar project (“Cider”), a 674 MWdc / 500 MWac utility-scale solar farm located in Genesee County, New York. While this tax equity financing represents the final source of funding required to fully finance the project, it follows a series of successfully completed financings and significant construction milestones already achieved to date.
The tax equity financing — provided by U.S. Bank and M&T Bank (“Tax Equity Partners”) — represents a $440 million investment into the project’s capital stack. This commitment plays a critical role in optimizing the project’s financial structure and advancing Cider toward commercial operation targeted for late 2026. When complete, Cider is expected to be the largest solar project in New York State and is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power approximately 120,000 homes annually.i
Leadership commentary
“The closing of this $440 million tax equity commitment marks a pivotal milestone for Greenbacker and for the Cider solar project,” said Daniel de Boer, Chief Executive Officer of Greenbacker. “With all key sources of capital secured, we are positioned to deliver one of the most impactful clean energy projects in New York State. This achievement reflects the strength of our partnerships, the quality of the Cider asset, and our continued commitment to building infrastructure that accelerates the energy transition while creating long-term value for our stakeholders.”
“This transaction represents best-in-class execution across a highly complex financing structure,” said Carl Weatherley-White, Chief Financial Officer of Greenbacker. “The tax equity commitment meaningfully optimizes Cider’s capital stack and completes the final piece of financing required to advance the project to commercial operation. We are grateful for the collaboration among our tax equity partners, lenders, and advisors, whose coordination was critical to achieving this milestone.”
“Our tax equity investment in the Cider solar project is an example of how we provide creative financing solutions that enable our clients to increase energy generation across the country,” said Colin Witherspoon, Senior Vice President, Environmental Finance at U.S. Bank. “We’re honored to support Greenbacker as they expand sources of renewable energy, strengthen the energy grid, and drive local job creation and economic development in New York State.”
“This investment reflects M&T Bank’s dedication to strengthening the communities we serve and supporting strong, experienced sponsors like Greenbacker,” said Tyler Dornbusch, Renewable Energy Relationship Manager at M&T Bank. “The Cider solar project will play a critical role in New York’s clean energy transition, and we are pleased to partner with U.S. Bank and Greenbacker to help bring this landmark project to completion.”
An efficient, fully committed tax equity financing
The tax equity commitment supports the utilization of Investment Tax Credits (ITC) and aligns with industry best practices for renewable energy financing. The tax equity commitment follows Greenbacker’s recent milestone financing of nearly $1 billion, led by a group of global project finance banks and financial institutions. With this $440 million commitment, Greenbacker secures the last key source of capital needed to bring Cider online.
Project benefits
Once operational, the project is expected to deliver significant environmental benefits and contribute to New York’s clean energy transition. It is also projected to support hundreds of construction jobs and generate roughly $100 million in revenue to the local community over its operational lifespan through property taxes, host community agreements, and tax benefits. Cider is slated to enter commercial operation around the end of 2026.
Sheppard Mullin and Barclay Damon LLP served as counsel for Greenbacker; Milbank LLP and Rath, Young and Pignatelli, P.C. served as counsel for the tax equity partners; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP served as reading counsel for M&T Bank. Winston & Strawn LLP and Rath, Young and Pignatelli, P.C. served as counsel for the bank syndicate.
CRC-IB served as advisor to Greenbacker; Cornerstone Financial Advisors, LLC (“CFA”) and CCA Capital, LLC (“CCA”) served as advisors for the Tax Equity Partners.
About Greenbacker
Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company LLC is a publicly reporting, non-traded limited liability sustainable infrastructure company that both acquires and manages income-producing renewable energy and other energy-related businesses, including solar and wind farms, and provides asset management services to other renewable energy investment vehicles. We seek to acquire and operate high-quality projects that sell clean power under long-term contracts to high-creditworthy counterparties such as utilities, municipalities, and corporations. We are long-term owner-operators, who strive to be good stewards of the land and responsible members of the communities in which we operate. Greenbacker conducts its asset management business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Greenbacker Capital Management, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser, which generates revenue as an advisor to multiple energy-transition focused strategies. We believe our focus on power production and asset management creates value that we can then pass on to our shareholders—while facilitating the transition toward a clean energy future. For more information, please visit https://greenbackercapital.com.
About U.S. Bancorp
U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 70,000 employees and $692 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses including consumer banking, business banking, commercial banking, institutional banking, payments and wealth management. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, community partnerships and customer service, including being named one of Fortune’s most admired superregional banks. Learn more at usbank.com/about.
About M&T Bank
M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB) is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services with a branch and ATM network spanning the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank. For more information about M&T Bank, visit www.mtb.com.
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Greenbacker media contact
mediarelations@greenbackercapital.com
iGovernor Hochul Announces Siting Approval of New York's Largest Solar Facility to Date, governor.ny.gov.
FAQ**
How does the $440 million Tax Equity Commitment from M&T Bank Corporation MTB and U.S. Bank impact the overall financing strategy for Greenbacker's Cider solar project in New York?
What role does M&T Bank Corporation MTB play in supporting the clean energy transition through its investment in the Cider solar project?
Can you elaborate on the expected long-term economic benefits that M&T Bank Corporation MTB anticipates for the local community from the Cider solar project?
How does M&T Bank Corporation MTB's collaboration with Greenbacker and U.S. Bank enhance the project's financing structure and facilitate its successful completion?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE: MTB).
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