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Citizens press county on utility-scale solar as planning commission backs zoning changes; board sets Nov. public hearing
Summary
Multiple citizens told supervisors they are concerned about erosion, panel failures and local impacts from large solar projects; the Planning Commission recommended an amendment to Article 23 (solar facilities) and the board scheduled a public hearing for November on Case 24-020 to require national environmental and safety standards.
Residents raised repeated concerns about utility-scale solar development during citizens’ comments and the board moved to schedule a public hearing on a county zoning amendment that would tighten standards for solar facilities.
Ann Moore told the board she had found damaged ‘‘First Solar Cadmium Telluride panels’’ for sale and questioned whether damaged panels were returned for recycling. She said citizens opposed to utility-scale solar feel ignored and alleged the projects together cover "over 10,000 acres" across multiple parts of the county. "We're looking at Maher and Powelton to Poplar Mount ... over to the Durham Road and into Triplett," Moore said, urging more scrutiny of projects that she described as widespread.
Judy Brothers, president of the Friends of the Meherrin River Group, told supervisors that neighboring counties had experienced erosion and equipment failures, and she urged the board to consult Mecklenburg County officials and to ‘‘put a halt to all the solar in the county at this point’’ until concerns are resolved.
Those public comments preceded Planning Director Mr. Morris’s presentation about ordinance amendment Case 24-020, which would amend Article 23 (solar facilities) to require cooperative- and utility-scale solar facilities to comply with national environmental protection and safety standards for photovoltaic panels and battery technologies as described under the Code of Virginia. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on Oct. 8 and voted unanimously to recommend approval and asked the Board of Supervisors to schedule a public hearing at its November meeting; the board voted to do so.
The board did not take final action on the zoning language at this meeting; rather, it scheduled the formal public hearing for November so residents will have another opportunity to speak and for the board to consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
