The Norbut Solar Project (Norbut Solar Farm) is a proposed renewable energy development in the Town of Burns. The plan calls for the construction of five ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) arrays, each producing about 5 megawatts (MW), across approximately 163.5 acres of land. The project area includes a mix of agricultural and forested parcels, with roughly 126 acres used for solar equipment and access.
PV panels on ground-mounted racking systems
Inverters, buried interconnection cabling, and gravel access roads
Perimeter fencing and vegetative ground cover
Stormwater and erosion control measures designed to NYSDEC standards
The Town of Burns conducted a full State Environmental Quality Review (SEQRA) and issued a Negative Declaration, finding that potential impacts would be small to moderate and properly mitigated.
Wetland disturbance is limited to ~0.12 acres, with minimal stream impacts (117 linear feet).
Topsoil protection, erosion controls, and drainage plans are included in the design.
Maintenance will avoid pesticides and rely primarily on mowing.
At the end of its useful life, a decommissioning plan will restore the land to pre-project conditions.
Supported by an $8 million NY Green Bank loan, the project is part of Norbut Solar Farms’ broader commitment to renewable energy development.
Advanced monitoring software (Stem’s PowerTrack) will be used to maximize efficiency and ensure transparency across project operations.