New York power

Generates renewable electricity from sunlight, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 520 homes for a year.*

Air quality & health in Chenango County

Chenango County has a population of 45,920. Across five conditions the American Lung Association tracks — childhood asthma, adult asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease — it reports a combined 9,989 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

Among the 567 solar plants in New York’s renewable and clean category, County Road 17 in Afton ranks #228 by electricity produced in 2024. It uses solar photovoltaic technology, meaning panels that turn sunlight directly into electricity. The plant began operating in 2022 and has a capacity of 3.3 MW, a measure of the most power it can deliver at any moment.

In 2024 it produced 5.2 gigawatt-hours, a unit of electricity equal to the yearly use of about 520 homes. Sunlight is a carbon-free source, so the plant burns no fuel to make that power. It is owned by KSI II Consolidated, LLC, and it serves customers in the NYSEG area.

Environmental impact

Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 2,000 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 using about 5,000 barrels of oil.*

Nearby places worth exploring

Afton sits in Chenango County, a mix of quiet farm towns and river valley scenery. Norwich, the county seat, is a short drive away along the Chenango River valley. Bowman Lake State Park is a favorite spot for swimming, picnicking, and a walk by the water.

Local school district

Afton 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.