In Southampton, ‘agrivoltaic’ solar proposal keeps hayfields growing; brings battery storage worries
SOUTHAMPTON — After 10 years turning down proposals from solar developers, Stephen E. and Ronald S. Bashista of Rolling Acres Farm said yes to an “agrivoltaic” proposal.
Agrivoltaic keeps the ‘farm’ in solar farm, with solar panels placed 10-feet off the ground. They are high enough, far enough apart and are able to move with the sun to keep their hayfields growing.
“We’ll be able to farm under it,” said Stephen E. Bashista, the father.
BlueWave Energy’s proposal for a 5.49-megawatt solar array on 22 acres of a 40-acre site at 43 and 53 Pleasant St. calls for very little in the way of land disturbance, according to an application available on the town’s website.
The project includes two BESS, or battery storage units, that have neighbors worried, according to social media posts. Battery storage proposals have sparked opposition in Westfield, Agawam and the hilltowns as they become common under the state’s aggressive green energy goals.
A family checks out the agrivoltaic solar array at Burgundy Brook Farm in Palmer following a ribbon cutting ceremony for the project. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 8/22/2024
Trevor Hardy , CEO of BlueWave, speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new BlueWave Agrivoltaic solar array at Burgundy Brook Farm in Palmer. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 8/22/2024
Farmer Tom Roberts Jr., speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new BlueWave Agrivoltaic solar array in Palmer at Burgundy Brook Farm. His family, including wife MaryAnn (left) and daughter Michelle Blanchette (right) own the farm. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 8/22/2024
Cattle graze under solar panels at the Burgundy Brook Farm in Palmer. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the solar project which uses innovative technology. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 8/22/2024
Aerial view of the Burgundy Brook Farm solar array in Palmer by BlueWave. (submitted photo / Matt Horelick for BlueWave) 8/22/2024
Stakeholders cut a ribbon at the new BlueWave Agrivoltaic solar array in Palmer at Burgundy Brook Farm. (Don Treeger / The Republican) 8/22/2024
“There’s been a lot of meetings about it,” said Scott Szczebak, the town administrator.
A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Monday, July 20 at Town Hall, 210 College Highway.
Neighbors are concerned about how the array will look and change their views.
Throughout the region, neighbors worry about the safety of battery storage systems, especially in case of fire.
Szczebak said pretty much the whole of Southampton is over Westfield’s drinking water aquifer.
Ronald S. Bashista said he, too, sought assurances and was satisfied that the battery storage is safe.
While he said they didn’t want to lose their land, farming isn’t just an option under this proposal — it is a requirement under the financing.
“Someone is required to farm it,” Ronald Bashista said. “But what we like even more about it. It’s basically gone in 30 years.”
Removed, he said, at the end of the panel’s service life.
“It’s a chance to learn something new,” he said. “How to farm with the panels.”
Two years ago, BlueWave opened a similar agrivoltaic solar operation at Burgundy Brook Farm in Palmer where a herd of Angus beef cattle graze and rest under the panels, often taking advantage of their shade.
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