Local News: Developer fields questions about solar farm (7/27/23) - McCook Daily Gazette

Local News: Developer fields questions about solar farm (7/27/23) | McCook Gazette

Developer fields questions about solar farm

McCOOK, Neb. - Citizens attended a solar open house Monday night at the Keystone to raise questions and voice concerns about various aspects of the project.

Brice Barton, representing the developer, Birch Creek, provided the following answers:

The projected energy output of the plant is up to 160 megawatts, which can power approximately 22,260 homes. Barton explained that solar energy, like all renewable resources, is intermittent in nature and sold to utility companies accordingly.

When asked about federal funding subsidies for the project, Barton said that while there may be some subsidies available, solar farms can still exist without relying on federal subsidies.

Concerned citizens raised questions about the proposed site falling within the city’s two-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction allowed by state law. A 7-foot fence will be required to comply with city zoning regulations, with roads in between. They will also work with the fire departments to ensure access to the lot. The fence will hopefully reduce the eyesore that most local residents are concerned with.

Another question that was answered was about the heat generated by the panels on a hot day. Barton explained that they attract UV and will heat up, but assured that they can’t, by law, use something that will burn or start fires. He also noted that the typical crystalline silicon solar panel is made up of approximately 76% glass, 10% plastic polymer, 8% aluminum, 5% silicon, 1% copper, and less than 0.1% silver and other metals. When asked if the panels would come from China, details of where the panels will come from were not provided.

Asked about when they are damaged or a natural disaster takes place, Barton said they are responsible for the clean up and repair of the panels, just like any other company if such an event happened. They will be recycled or disposed of per state and federal law.

Barton said this isn’t a “build and walk away,” there will be a crew operating the project and an on-site operations building. While there won’t be a crew on-site 24 hours a day, it will be monitored by someone 24 hours a day and can be shut down remotely.

Greg Wolford, President of the local Masonic Lodge, which owns one of the properties where the solar farm is proposed, noted that the land was donated to the Masonic body for care and use. The income generated from this project is expected to increase the land’s profits by approximately $50,000 per year. Wolford emphasized that this additional revenue would enable them to contribute more to the community, as did a previous donation of $250,000 toward the McCook City swimming pool.

Red Willow County Commissioners recently renewed a moratorium on alternative energy projects until zoning regulations can be updated. Birch Creek is one of two solar farms proposed in the county.