Fighting 'Solar Farm' Installation

[coldsteelva]

I have rooftop solar on my home, which is not visible to anyone. The nearest homes are 100+ yards away. I definitely have no issues with solar and I do understand the argument about sacrificing good farmland, BUT it's time to be honest about that argument. There aren't many family farms left. If the land isn't being farmed today, it likely won't ever be farmed again. Property taxes have gotten expensive and there is a chance that leasing land to a solar producer or becoming a solar producer is the only way these families can keep their generational property in the family.

Thankfully there is a businessman in the Northern Virginia area that buys up good green space and rolls it into conservation easements so that the developers can't ruin it. He has the bank account to support it. His land holding company has preserved over 22,000 acres so far and taxes on conserved property are negligible. He's doing his part to protect lands and views and prevent the building over of all green spaces.

 

[mikester]

Some people have got together in one of our communities and are planning on installing a huge multi-acre solar farm on property adjacent to my daughter's and sister-in-law's property. They will be surrounded to the north and south of their properties and across the road. Their property value will go to nearly nothing.

Has anybody fought the installation of one of these?

Any ideas?

RSKY

Tell your family to start a tractor junkyard and become hoarders parking rusty and dented shipping containers on their front lawns along with old partially disassembled cars. Let the grass grow long in between the rows. Partially cover the roof with a tarp and duct tape. Keep a dozen dogs running wild and chickens. Have 16 kids.

Now those lousy neighbors wanting solar panels will see their property values plummet and won't go through the expense of adding value to their properties. They will be spending their money on lawyers to try and get the bad neighbors evicted.

 

[Cub 7275]

Other than a potential eyesore, what are the objections to a solar farm? Do they make noises or produce smells (ozone, etc)? Are there constant maintenance noises and/or traffic with workers coming and going all the time? Are there serious negative effects on the land or wildlife compared to a cultivated field? As others have noted it seems there are many other things that would be much less desirable moving next door.

Especially curious since a family member was approached to put a solar farm on 30 acres in the Catskills in NY. Didn't seem like a viable location to me, but I'm pretty ignorant about solar.

 

[Hambone]

Not sure of the percentage, but for us, it was of the total cost.

Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics

This guide provides an overview of the federal investment tax credit for those interested in residential solar photovoltaics, or PV.

www.energy.gov

Actually 26% now

 

[Jrasband]

sell out and move or buy the property, you are not going to stop them from building

 

[2manyrocks]

This thread is a taste of what you might expect in litigation except you aren't paying attorneys fees for the experience.

 

[MarkF48]

Long thread to read through and I don't know if solar farm 'heat island effect' has been mentioned which could have a detrimental effect to people living within proximity of large solar farms. Not good for nearby areas and questionable about its effects on the climate. Relate it to what it feels like to stand in a huge asphalt parking lot on a hot day.

The Photovoltaic Heat Island Effect: Larger solar power plants increase local temperatures - Scientific Reports

While photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy production has surged, concerns remain about whether or not PV power plants induce a “heat island” (PVHI) effect, much like the increase in ambient temperatures relative to wildlands generates an Urban Heat Island effect in cities. Transitions to PV...

www.nature.com

Solar panels generate mountains of waste — and heat the planet – The Heartland Institute

 

[TN8Man]

What happens when a tornado hits a large solar panel field?

 

[jyoutz]

What happens when a tornado hits a large solar panel field?

It gets twisted like everything else.

 

[coldsteelva]

Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics

This guide provides an overview of the federal investment tax credit for those interested in residential solar photovoltaics, or PV.

www.energy.gov

Actually 26% now

Not correct any longer: In August 2022, Congress passed an extension of the ITC, raising it to 30% for the installation of which was between 2022-2032.