Two solar farm projects in the Town of Batavia were recommended for approval by the Genesee County Planning Board on Thursday night.
One project is at 3833 W. Main Street Road. It is an 11.6-acre project on a 83.5-acre parcel.
The other is at 8169 Bank Street Road, Batavia. It is 11 acres on 93.3 acres.
Both projects are being developed by Forefront Power, formerly SunEdison, with Forefront agreeing to leases of 25 years with the property owners.
The projects are expected to produce enough electricity each to power the equivalent of 300 residential homes.
Timothy P. Ahrens, in charge of project development for Forefront, said the projects will help create additional renewable energy sources for the region.
The projects will be eligible for state and federal incentives to help offset the costs.
Planning Board members asked questions about what happens to the farm if it's ever decommissioned and Ahrens said part of the agreement with the landowners is to remove all of the infrastructure and return the land to its prior use.
Both lots are less-than-prime farmland.
Pending final approval by the Town of Batavia, Ahrens said Forefront hopes to begin construction by the fall.
