Solar Farm Questions

To the Editor:

Recently in The Fayette County Record there was mention of the solar farm’s approval tax abatement for Fayette County. There is considerable discussion as to the construction of this solar farm, but one hears little concerning this farm with COVID-19, USPS and upcoming presidential election in the forefront of any discussion.

Some people believe that once the tax abatement is concluded that ground will be broken and construction will begin. The actual process is a bit more complicated than just slapping up a few panels and let the electricity flow. Anyone can access on the process to build out and operate a solar farm on the internet and upon reading one would find a number of articles on the subject.

One of the first obstacle, is the permitting process that can take from three to five years, but one must have deal with water rights, land use and how to access and transmit the electrical power prior to submitting the permit. Secondly, the number of persons needed to build out the farm will require a bit more than a few strong backs, and final operations must be handled by a professional engineer or engineer in training and then four years experience before being accredited.

There are many more requirements, but the one issue that needs to be addressed is site remediation. What will happen to the farm once it is built and finds itself uneconomic or at the end of its life? Does the company plan on removing the farm and returning the area to its original condition or just escape to another state and leave the problem for Fayette County? Will the solar panels be recyclable, and will the company be responsible and recycle as necessary?

I hope, along with other, that all aspects of this solar farm are asked and answered properly and not just a “Oh we will do that” with nothing to back up their operating/exiting plan.

Frank Chlumsky

Muldoon