by Joe Schultz
Apex Clean Energy Thursday afternoon took the wraps off a proposed solar farm at an open house event at St Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.
Neighbors were brought in to see displays of how Apex has been building solar and wind farms across the country, with the most recent one being in Coldwater.
The most popular display for the neighbors though, was the map showing the size and shape of the solar project in Wayland Township. If built, the farm would be bounded by Patterson Road to the east, 129th Avenue to the south, 2nd Street to the west, and extend about a mile north of 134th.
The map also was of interest to some members of the Wayland Township Board., who knew that Apex was working on a solar project, but the display was the first time they actually saw the size and scope of the project.
Apex representatives said that they will take the feedback they got from this event to fine tune their request for a special use permit from the township, which they hope to apply for by November.
I hope that they have to post a bond for eventual cleanup. These companies have a history of promising great things and then declaring bankruptcy and leaving the landowner holding the bag for removal.
I wonder if this would require rezoning to industrial use as an electrical power station?
This project won’t provide a fraction of community power needs on a good sunny day, and nothing on a cloudy day. No one’s electric bill will be reduced – in fact it MIGHT be increased to pay for the equipment. Meanwhile, the land occupied by this is taken out of use by any other useful purpose.
There’s a history of solar projects being installed with promises of large payouts to the landowner. Until they declare bankruptcy and leave the landowner holding the liabilities. Solar panels are very expensive to recycle. Another issue is rezoning from agricultural use to industrial.
Meeting all other requirements a bond should be posted so landowner,township,or taxpayers have zero liability.