By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Neighbors of the proposed solar farm near Weston say they are not opposed to solar energy, to increased tax revenue for Otsego Schools, or new income for local farmers.
But they don’t like the idea of solar panels surrounding their homes, possible loss of property values, and poor communication from a big energy firm.
“We’re just really, really worried they are going to step on the little guy,” said Tom Halladay, following a meeting on Tuesday with neighbors of the proposed solar farm, the Wood County Commissioners and Cliff Scher, a representative of 7X Energy which is planning the 600-plus acre solar field west of Weston.
The proposed solar farm would cover land currently farmed, and would produce about 101 MW of power – compared to the 20 MW generated at the Bowling Green solar site.
Halladay is one of 10 residents along Sand Ridge Road, whose properties will be surrounded by solar panels on all four sides since the proposed solar farm stretches on both sides of the road.
A total 30 residential properties will be affected by the proposed Juliet Solar Farm, which touches homes on Sand Ridge, Weston and Milton roads.
The neighbors have formed a group called the Solar Farm Task Force, with Suzi Saunders as spokesperson.
The task force’s goals are to:
- Advocate in the best interests of the directly impacted property owners.
- Meet an equitable and amicable agreement between property owners and the solar company.
- Establish legally binding mandated expectations for solar farm and continued property line and project maintenance.
“We all want what is in the best interest of everyone and aim to find an amicable and equitable solution to our current concerns with the developing company of the projected solar farm,” Saunders stated last week. “We all are very supportive of renewable energy and contributing to ways to improve the environment around us. We also believe in the value of education and supporting our local schools, which has all been a promise made by the solar farm developing company.”
But those positives don’t erase the neighbors’ concerns – primarily due to the magnitude of the project and the imposition the solar farm will have on neighbors.
The homeowners are concerned about the impacts on property sell-ability – especially for those surrounded on all sides.
The neighbors have additional concerns about the impacts this will have on leachfields, wells, water tables and water lines; property values; property taxes; and sightline/horizon pollution.
Don Schooner has talked with Scher from 7X Energy about planting a wall of arborvitae around the entire solar farm. Considering the size of the project and the fact that a solar “farm” is more like an “industrial park,” Schooner said the request is reasonable.
“The neighborhood doesn’t feel that it’s asking a lot,” Schooner said.
Halladay agreed.
“I bought that house in 2003 for the open views,” he said. “It will completely circle us.”
Scher said 7X Energy would commit to a vegetative buffer around homes – but not to plant a buffer around the entire project.
“We’re definitely committed to continue to work with adjacent neighbors,” Scher said during the meeting with the county commissioners on Tuesday.
Halladay also explained his concerns about drainage tile damage that could occur during the installation of the solar panels.
Scher said the company would correct any drainage damage that occurs. But Halladay said the damage could show up years later at homes that don’t have lots large enough for leachfields.
“There will be homes that are uninhabitable,” Halladay said.
Saunders expressed concerns about the impact of the massive solar field on neighbors who have pacemakers or defibrillators. The research on those issues is very limited, she said.
Commissioner Ted Bowlus suggested that residents with those types of concerns contact their cardiologists.
The research is very limited about the effects of solar farms on property values and future sell-ability of land. And much of the research available is the work of solar firms, Saunders said.
“We want independent and unbiased research,” Saunders said, citing one study showing homes within a tenth of a mile from solar farms saw a 7% reduction in sale prices.
The residents have other concerns on the management and practices of the developing company, such as a lack of adequate communication to directly impacted property owners, particularly those with accessibility and technology literacy issues.
The task force members have also questioned the offering of compensation by the company, which stated there would be no impact on the properties or values, but then offered a very low annual compensation to the impacted residents.
The task force members thanked the county commissioners Tuesday for listening to their concerns and trying to work with 7X Energy on their behalf.
“Hopefully we can get it worked out to your satisfaction,” Commissioner Doris Herringshaw said to the task force members.
