TOWN OF CHENANGO (WBNG) -- A groundbreaking project was unveiled in the hills of the Town of Chenango Thursday.

"The dedication of Broome County's first large-scale community solar array. This is a project where any NYSEG customer can get 20 percent off their annual electricity costs," said Director of Clean Energy Programs Adam Flint.

The project was started four years ago, when Marie and Steve Lamb decided to allow family lands to be used to help the community.

"It's really a land-locked piece of land. There was nothing that we could really do with it. So when this opportunity came up we were very happy," said Marie Lamb.

All 16,600 panels collect sunlight as energy, which is stored in NYSEG's energy bank. Those signed up for the program see the benefits.

"You receive solar credits on your bill every month. That offsets the electricity that you actually use," said Flint.

One partnering agency joined this project because it wants to make renewable energy viable for all.

"People tend to think of environmentalism as a luxury good sometimes and that's not something we like. So, we like to give working families an opportunity to participate in the greening of the US economy," said Vice President of Citizens Energy Coalition Michael Kennedy.

The hope of local leaders is that even those slightly hesitant of the idea will see the benefits, for themselves, the community and beyond.

"You're actually doing your part to save the planet and you save money at the same time. This is the future. It's really awesome to be, to see the future coming into the Southern Tier," said Binghamton City Councilman Joe Burns.