TOWN OF WILNA, New York (WWNY) – A solar company has its sights set on the Carthage area for a renewable energy project.

AES Clean Energy wants to turn farmland on Strickland Road in the town of Wilna into a solar farm. Town Supervisor Paul Smith has spoken with the developers for the project which is called Sugar Maple Solar.

“A lot of what is going on right now is still in its infancy. We’ve been told that they are going to do it, but they haven’t filled out an application yet,” said Paul Smith, town supervisor.

According to a notice filed by AES Clean Energy, the project would cover 740 acres of land and generate 125 megawatts of energy. The company says the project will produce significant tax revenue and other economic benefits for the area.

Sugar Maple Solar would also have on-site lithium battery storage units, the same setup that caused problems in Chaumont 2 years ago when the unit caught fire. Local officials are aware of the battery plans and risks.

“I believe what I have been told in the past and probably still in the present is that there is not really anything you can do because you have to let it burn out,” said Smith.

A farmer who’s selling his land to the developer says he has mixed feelings about it since he has owned the land for over 40 years. Smith is not too thrilled about it either since he does not want to see the land covered with solar panels.

“I live on the Strickland Road and I have had a view for over 40 years of just plain farmland. Now in the future when this comes, I will have a view of solar panels to look at,” said Smith.

The project not only would be in the town of Wilna but also in the town of Croghan.

Smith believes the energy company could file paperwork this week to get the project moving along.

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