Newton County approves Jolly Solar project after months of debate

Newton County commissioners approved a conditional use permit on July 1 for a large-scale solar facility proposed for the Jolly Farm properties along Brown Bridge and Magnet roads.

Supporters said the project offers a lower-impact alternative to residential development and will bring clean energy and tax revenue; neighbors raised concerns about buffers, property values, health and panel disposal. The county approved the permit with a set of staff-recommended conditions addressing buffers, fencing, tree removal and decommissioning.

The project applicant proposes a 14-megawatt alternating-current ground-mounted solar array contained within a fenced area of about 132 acres of the roughly 332-acre site, with the remaining acreage to remain undisturbed. Snapping Shoals EMC and Green Power EMC are the utility partners identified in the application; Snapping Shoals officials told the board they will oversee construction and ongoing maintenance.

At the public comment portion of the hearing, residents from nearby…