Developer urges trimming ordinance's restrictions, says 1,800-foot setback would be unworkable

Representatives for Earthrise Energy told the Tilton Village Board that several provisions in the draft solar ordinance go beyond customary land-use regulation and would materially hinder project financeability and siting.

"I am an associate developer representing Earthrise Energy," Justin Powell told the board as the company's team outlined concerns and commitments to local collaboration. Developer remarks and a subsequent presenter listed specific change requests: reduce an 1,800-foot utility setback (noted in the draft), clarify and narrow groundwater and stormwater testing definitions, lengthen the decommissioning timeframe to one year to align with AIMA, and allow a 35-year special use permit term to match equipment life and financing norms.

A developer representative explained the financing rationale: modules and inverters typically have performance and financing models tied to roughly 35 years of useful life, and shortening special-use terms to 25 years can complicate lenders' models. The team also asked the board to reconsider an AM Best "A+" bond-rating requirement for financial assurance, proposing more flexible security options given market realities.

Developers volunteered technical responses to liability and safety questions, saying modern polysilicon panels have no liquid fill and that tracking and SCADA monitoring would enable remote diagnosis of damaged equipment. They described procedures for preconstruction road-use analysis, video surveys, and pre-construction upgrades to limit construction damage to local roads.