Darlington County neighbors rally against proposed 417-acre solar farm

DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Neighbors in the Clyde Road community are asking Darlington County leaders to slow down on new solar and wind projects as they push back against a proposed 417-acre utility-scale solar farm.

Residents gathered for a rally Sunday, voicing concerns about the proposed Stripe Solar project and asking county leaders to strengthen regulations governing large-scale renewable energy developments.

Stripe Solar, LLC is being developed by Jacksonville, Florida-based Palladium Energy. The project remains in the planning process with Darlington County.

The proposal would involve leasing land from property owners in the area, many of whom neighbors say are local farmers.

Residents who spoke with ABC 15 said the proposed solar farm could change the rural character of the community and raise concerns about the landscape, wildlife and property values.

“This has been a really good development, and there’s so many people around,” said Lee Sansbury, who lives near the proposed site. “This is actually residential, with a farm … that really just sets the tone, not an industrial site.”

One of the biggest concerns for residents is how close solar panels could be to nearby homes and property lines.

Under Darlington County’s current regulations, solar energy systems must be set back at least 50 feet from adjoining property lines or 200 feet from the nearest residence, according to Section 14 of Ordinance 16 through 19.

Sansbury said he believes the current requirements do not provide enough protection for homeowners.

“That buffer zone that they have right now, from my house, they can put it up right to the property line,” Sansbury said. “I mean, would you want that at your house?”

The proposed site would surround nearly 70 properties.

Neighbors are asking county leaders to consider stronger requirements for large-scale solar projects, including greater setbacks and buffering between solar facilities and neighboring homes.

Residents also raised concerns about the potential impact on wildlife, property values, and the overall appearance of the community.

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“Well, it looks bad, I think that’s the most important, for most people,” said Erik Nesseth, who lives near the proposed site. “I think it affects the wildlife in a lot of ways, probably in ways we don’t even understand yet.”

The opposition comes as Darlington County leaders consider a nine-month moratorium on new solar and wind projects.

If approved, the moratorium would give county leaders additional time to review the regulations currently governing renewable energy projects and potentially make changes.

Neighbors say they support the moratorium and want county leaders to use the time for a comprehensive review of the county’s renewable energy regulations.

Residents want that review to address issues such as:

• The size of solar and wind projects

• The density of projects in an area

• Buffering between projects and neighboring properties

• Environmental protections

Nesseth said he believes the county needs to take a closer look at its regulations before approving additional projects.

“They need to figure it out real quick, slow down, think about and hopefully they can do what’s in the interests of the citizens in this county,” Nesseth said.

Darlington County leaders are expected to vote next month on the second reading of an ordinance related to the proposed moratorium.

The Darlington County Council is scheduled to meet September 10 at 6 p.m. at the County Annex Building.

Stripe Solar is one of more than 30 solar developments Darlington County leaders have in the planning or negotiation stages.

That growth has prompted some residents to call for a broader examination of how the county handles utility-scale renewable energy projects.

Neighbors told ABC 15 that surveyors were in their community earlier this month.

The exact terms of proposed leases between Stripe Solar and individual property owners have not been made public.

According to the Realtors Land Institute, utility-scale solar land lease rates in South Carolina generally range from about $300 to $1,000 per acre per year once a formal lease is executed.

ABC 15 was unable to reach the property owners who are expected to lease land to Stripe Solar.

ABC 15 also reached out to Palladium Energy for comment on the Stripe Solar project, the company’s planning process and concerns raised by residents.

As of publication, the company had not responded.

ABC 15 will continue to follow the proposed Stripe Solar project and Darlington County’s consideration of a moratorium on new solar and wind developments.