New York power

Generates renewable electricity from sunlight, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 540 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

Of the 567 solar plants in New York, Hunt Creek in Nichols ranks #224 by the electricity it produced in 2024, placing it comfortably in the middle of the pack. It began operating in 2021 and is owned by LSE Perseus LLC, with 4.0 MW of capacity. That figure is its peak output on a bright day, roughly like a car’s top speed.

It uses solar photovoltaic technology, meaning panels that turn sunlight directly into electricity. Last year it generated 5.4 gigawatt-hours, a unit of energy equal to the yearly use of about 540 homes. Because it burns no fuel, it is a carbon-free source of power.

Environmental impact

Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 2,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year compared with producing the same electricity from the national mix of power sources — about the same as keeping about 810 tons of waste out of a landfill.*

Nearby places worth exploring

Hunt Creek sits in Tioga County, close to the riverside village of Owego on the Susquehanna River. The Finger Lakes lie to the north, and Binghamton is a short drive east. It’s a pleasant corner of the Southern Tier for a day of exploring.

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.