Two more solar projects have received final approval for tax breaks.

During a recent meeting of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, board members unanimously approved a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement for a 5-megawatt project in the town of Pomfret and a 5-megawatt project in the town of Stockton.

STOCKTON

Scinta Solar, LLC proposed the 5 megawatt solar project at 7030 South Stockton-Cassadaga Road (County Road 71), Cassadaga. It will be placed on 26 acres of land.

Adam Rowles with Saturn Power of Canada, Scinta Solar’s parent company discussed the project when it was first proposed in September. He said they’ve received their special use permit and variance from the Stockton Town Board.

They would like to start construction in the fall of 2023 and have it in operation by the spring of 2024.

According to the application documents filed on the IDA’s website, the project is expected to cost $7.8 million to construct.

The project is expected to create 31 construction jobs and one permanent position.

The PILOT is for 25 years, starting at $17,500 a year with a 2% escalation. By the 25th year, the payment will be $28,148.

According to the application, residents will be benefit from the possibility of subscribing to the projects, resulting in a 10% reduction in their electricity bills.

POMFRET

Along with the Stockton solar project, Saturn Power was approved for a 5 megawatt project on 110 acres of land at 5208 W. Main Road, Fredonia. This development is through Schofield Solar, LLC.

See PROJECTS, Page A3

Rowles said they have received their special use permit from the Pomfret Town Board, with conditions.

They would like to start construction in the fall of 2023 and have it in operation by the spring of 2024.

The specs of the project are very similar to the Stockton one.

According to the application documents, the project is expected to cost $7.8 million to construct. The project is expected to create 31 construction jobs and one permanent position. Residents will be benefit from the possibility of subscribing to the projects, resulting in a 10% reduction in their electricity bills.

The one difference is with the payments. While both projects have a PILOT for 25 years, the Pomfret payout is slightly higher, starting at $18,500 a year with a 2% escalation. By the 25th year, the payment will be $30,158.

According to IDA attorney Milian Tyler, the reason the payments are different is because they were negotiated by the local towns, instead of the county. “These are host community agreements,” he said.

Saturn Solar already has two solar projects approved in the county, both in the town of Pomfret.

With these two projects, the county IDA has approved PILOT agreements for 21 different solar projects of this size since the summer of 2020, plus the 270 megawatt Ripley solar project, which has yet to receive final state approval. Officials said in September that the county is running out of locations for solar projects, due to constraint on the grid. The lines would need to be upgraded before many more solar projects could be used.