New York power

Generates renewable electricity from sunlight, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 610 homes for a year.*

Air quality & health in Tioga County

Tioga County has a population of 47,715. Across five conditions the American Lung Association tracks — childhood asthma, adult asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease — it reports a combined 10,382 cases in the county.

No ozone or particle pollution grades are available for this county in the most recent report. The figures above describe how many residents live with conditions sensitive to air quality — not measured pollution levels.

Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to certain health conditions, particularly for children and older adults. Where electricity comes from affects how much combustion pollution is produced on the grid.

These figures describe the county as a whole and are not specific to this facility. Sources: American Lung Association – State of the Air (New York); U.S. EPA Air Quality Index.

The story behind this New York renewable energy facility

New York has 567 solar plants in this category, and Tioga Solar North in Owego ranks #194 of 567 by 2024 electricity produced. It began operating in 2021 and uses solar photovoltaic technology, which means panels turn sunlight directly into electricity with no moving parts.

Its capacity is 5.0 MW, a megawatt being the most power the plant can send out at one moment. Over 2024 it produced 6.1 gigawatt-hours, a gigawatt-hour being a large unit of electricity, which is about 610 homes’ worth of yearly use. The site is listed under the NYSEG service area and generates without burning anything.

Environmental impact

Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 2,400 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year compared with producing the same electricity from the national mix of power sources — about the same as not burning about 270,000 gallons of gasoline.*

Nearby places worth exploring

Owego is a riverside village on the Susquehanna River, with its walkable downtown just a short trip from the plant. The Finger Lakes lie to the north, a popular area for lakeside scenery and outdoor days. Binghamton is a short drive east, offering a larger city’s shops, dining, and universities.

Local school district

Owego-Apalachin Central School District

Common questions

* Homes-powered and emissions comparisons are annual estimates based on national averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Homes powered” describes a quantity of electricity, not direct service to specific households. How we calculate this.