BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – It’s safe to say the Town of Canton has become a mecca for solar projects.

At the town board’s monthly meeting Wednesday night, it was reported that five solar projects are currently on the books with two additional projects in the inquiry stage.

These projects include Grass River Solar LLC (Cypress Creek Renewables), 24 acres at 6578 County Route 27, 4.45 megawatts; EDF Renewable, Rich Road, 1,500 acres, 240 megawatts; SolAmerica Energy LLC, 90 Judson Street, 42.9 acres, 4.5 megawatts; TJA Clean Energy LLC, 6046 US Highway 11, 23.8 acres, 5 megawatts; and US Light Energy, 161 Meade Road, 33.75 acres, 5 megawatts.

“All these projects are in the very beginning of the process. No permits to date have been issued by the planning board,” said William Buchan, Constantia, the attorney hired by the town to handle solar project affairs.

Two projects in the “just notified” stage are Norbut Solar Farms, 268 State Highway 310, 92.25 acres, 5 megawatts; and BS Canton LLC (Algonquin Power), 676 Old DeKalb Road, 4 megawatts.

Buchan told board members that statewide, Canton is toward the top of the list in the number of solar projects.

“I see throughout the whole state that there is incredible activity going on. There are a lot of challenges trying to accelerate renewable energy,” Buchan stated. “It’s a lot of work. These are multi-generational decisions.”

“New York State’s goal for renewable energy equating to solar projects is amazing. The North Country is going to see more,” Buchan remarked.

The town was applauded for its implementation of a solar law that requires a 1 percent payment from developers. That money has been placed in an escrow account used to pay for Buchan's legal services and work conducted by John Condino, senior project manager at Barton and Loguidice, Watertown.

To date, the escrow account from the five established projects totals $282,237.66.

There was also a brief discussion about the leasing of land. Buchan noted that prices are ranging from $700 to $1,000 per acre per year, adding that his advice to town residents approached by solar project developers is to negotiate.

“My fear is that there is a transition for Canton from an ag community to a solar community,” said Councilman James Smith. “I encourage them to stay away from prime ag lands.”

Town officials will also be focusing on the density of these types of projects and may revisit the solar law to include this level of regulation.

“There are things you can do to control density and growth and address the next level of regulation,” said Buchan.