(Zachary Meseck Photo)

NORWICH – One of the largest solar farms in New York State is nearly finished in the Town of Norwich, after less than three months of intensive work by hundreds of local contractors.

According to Solomon Community Solar LLC CEO Jeffrey Mayer, to commemorate and to recognize town officials, contractors and workers, Solar Farms New York, the facility’s developer, plans a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site for 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon, September 23, at 5021 State Route 23 in Norwich.

Mayer said once connected to the NYSEG grid and energized the project will supply enough electricity to operate over 2,000 average-sized homes in upstate New York.

“The Norwich farm will make a significant contribution in the state’s push to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity by 2040,” said Mayer. “This could not have happened without the joint efforts of dozens of people and we wanted to honor them in person."

The Norwich facility covers 79 acres owned by the Evans family and consists of over 50,000 stationery panels on a slight rise that faces southwest.

Town of Norwich Supervisor David Evans owns the farm where the solar project is being built.

The supervisor explained his land was part of the lease when the project was first proposed, and he recused himself from the decision making process.