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Ag Board discusses Hoeffner Farms solar proposal and statewide Sun and Soil outreach
Summary
Board reviewed correspondence on the Hoeffner Farms Solar Site (a partial-farm solar project) and NYSERDA's Sun and Soil Program; members raised concerns about solar panels creating obstructions to farming and questioned how much rooftop/lot solar would contribute to statewide goals.
The board reviewed correspondence from the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets regarding the Hoeffner Farms Solar Site, described in the minutes as a proposed solar installation that would not cover the entire farm but could help keep the operation viable.
Minutes note the landowner Jack Hoeffner died before signing off on the project, but the project is continuing. Board discussion did not produce a formal motion. Separately, the board reviewed NYSERDA outreach on the Governor’s Sun and Soil Program; L. DeBuck said it is already hard to farm with existing obstructions and that solar panels add more. E. Schellenberg commented that placing solar on warehouses and parking lots will only meet about 5% of the state’s alternative energy goal, per the minutes. No action was taken at the meeting.
