RIPLEY – The largest proposed solar project ever in Chautauqua County is moving forward.

Gov. Kathy Hochul Wednesday announced executed contracts for 26 large-scale, land based renewable energy projects. Among the projects listed are the South Ripley Solar project and the York Run Solar Project.

The South Ripley Solar Project is a 270-megawatt solar project in Ripley, while the York Run Solar Project is a 90-megawatt solar project in Busti and Kiantone.

Last month Hochul had announced the York Run Solar Project had received approval. That announcement was made on Earth Day.

“New York is creating competitive opportunities for the clean energy industry, and we could not do this without the shared commitment of our private partners,” Hochul said in a news release. “The advancement of renewable energy is part of the foundation of New York’s plan to transform to a zero-emission electricity system and continue our green economy’s momentum forward.”

While local municipalities approve solar projects of 5 megawatts or smaller, these two needed state approval.

Chautauqua County Planning Board Chairman Doug Bowen, who is the former supervisor for the town of Ripley, was reached Wednesday and said he was not aware of the executed contracts. Bowen has regularly provided updates on the Ripley project at county planning board meetings.

The York Run Solar project’s website says it will start construction later this year and be up and running by 2026 or 2027.

The Ripley project’s website states that commercial operation is projected in late 2027 but did not list when construction will begin.

According to the Ripley project website, that solar project will provide additional tax revenues of more than $800,000 annually to the town of Ripley, totaling more than $26.8 million over its operational life. “The increased annual revenue would comprise approximately 100% of the Town’s total annual property tax levy, allowing for reduced taxes for all residents of Ripley or increased spending on public services and other critically important infrastructure,” the website states.

The website also says the project will provide nearly $390,000 annually to the Ripley and Sherman school districts, as well as more than $190,000 annually to the county.

It will also provide additional revenues to the Ripley Hose Company Station 1, Ripley, and Ripley Hose Company Station 2, South Ripley, averaging more than $189,000 annually and totaling more than $5.6 million in payments over the project’s life.

While there had been little protests for the York Run Solar Project, there had been multiple times residents in Ripley protested that project, speaking out at both town and county meetings.

The county Industrial Development Agency approved the Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement for the Ripley solar project back in 2022. The project has been proposed going back to at least 2018.