Broome County Solar Farm Now Generating Electricity

A $4 million solar array facility in the town of Conklin has started producing power, more than a year later than originally expected.

The solar farm project was announced in October 2016 by then-county executive Debra Preston. The operation was scheduled to begin generating electricity by the following spring.

After a series of delays, Broome County officials say the facility went on-line on June 20 after NYSEG conducted tests and gave its final approval. Energy generated by the solar farm is purchased by the utility.

Officials say the electricity being generated by the solar array is be applied to the County Office Building and the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton. The power also is being applied to the airport terminal building in the town of Maine and the public safety facility in the town of Dickinson.

Based on the initial three weeks of power generation, officials now estimate the facility could result in total savings of $2.6 million over the 20-year contract the county has with SolarCity.