MONTICELLO, NY — The board of the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) on April 8 voted to approve tax incentives for a solar project planned for the Town of Tusten. The 1.968 megawatt project will provide electricity to the existing customers in the area near the array through New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG). Those customers will receive electricity at a price lower than the NYSEG price.

The array will be located on Woodoak Road in Narrowsburg, on land owned by businessman Ned Lang. Construction is expected to begin this summer and is a project of Delaware River Solar (DRS), which has a 30-year lease on the land.

The IDA resolution approving the tax break says the company will receive “tax sales and use benefits not to exceed $70,000.”

DRS has agreed to install an eight-foot black chain-link fence around the 29-acre site. The landscaping plan presented at the meeting showed the planting of two rows of evergreen trees with lower-level filler plantings such as mountain laurel among them. DRS will maintain the tree line and mow the field twice a year, to inhibit brush fires.

The solar panels will sit about four feet above the ground and will be angled to face south with an overall height not to exceed 15 feet from grade.