Orange Co. PC unanimously recommends denial of Sunfish Solar’s SUP - MadRapp

Orange Co. PC unanimously recommends denial of Sunfish Solar’s SUP - The MadRapp Recorder

BOS will hold public hearing and vote in future on large-scale solar facility in District 4

Opponants of the proposed Sunfish Solar industrial facility in District 4 came out to Thursday night’s planning commission public hearing. Many wore orange vests to oppose the proposed special use permit application. Commissioners unanimously voted to recommend denail of the SUP to the county’s board of supervisors. No date has been set for the BOS public hearing and vote. MadRapp/GreeneJournal photo and video by Sara Jaeger.

Thursday’s Orange County Planning Commission meeting drew a large audience, with 22 constituents giving public comment. Many residents wore orange construction vests and stickers indicating their objection to industrial solar.

Large landowners near the proposed project gave public comment on their feelings towards solar power in general and how this solar farm would affect them.

The majority of speakers pleaded for the planning commission to oppose the Sunfish Solar proposal.

The commissioners listened and then unanimously voted to recommend denial of the applicant’s special use permit submittal.

The proposed 80-MWac facility, located adjacent to True Blue and Old Office roads in District 4, would have been placed on approximately 932 acres belonging to the Faulconer and Harris families.

A Rappahannock Electric Cooperative substation is situated near the two sites.

Many residents displayed considerable research and professional expertise informing their opposition of this site’s use and uncertain repercussions, while others emotionally repeated misinformation commonly circulated about solar power.

A social media narrative expressed passionate disapproval of this solar facility and its effect on residents, local businesses, the environment and the rural appearance of Orange County.

While contention between neighbors has characterized some of the discussion, this issue has also brought many neighbors together in solidarity. The audience remained civil, clapping politely for all speakers.

There was even a fist bump between one speaker in favor of the solar project and her neighbor with opposing views.

The planning commissioners gave thoughtful comments on their reasoning behind disapproval of this SUP.

The concerns included: traffic and safety concerns during construction, unclear decommissioning plans, ecological impact, alignment with the county’s Strategic Focus Area of “sustaining [Orange’s] rural character” and whether Sunfish Solar’s parent company BayWa would even own the solar facility throughout its 35-year contract.

The only other solar facility in Orange County, Madison Solar on Constitution Highway (Virginia Route 20), has encountered many challenges, taking years longer than its estimated construction timeline.

Commissioner Adam Bryington (District 4) noted that inadequate signage for this construction site has led to at least one devastating car crash.

Chair Jason Capelle (District 4) acknowledged the extensive work that Sunfish Solar put into their presentation, research and attempts to address concerns expressed by residents and officials.

He also commiserated with the presenters for the difficulty they face combating misinformation regarding solar energy.

Many people in Orange County anxiously await the board of supervisors (BOS) final decision on the Sunfish Solar project. In the past, supervisors have not always voted in alignment with the planning commissioners’ recommendations.

The yet-to-be-determined BOS public hearing will determine the fate of the proposed solar farm.

What the landowners will do with their properties if the solar project gets shut down and what the county does to define zoning for solar facilities remain to be seen.