How Solar Farm will Affect Neighbors

[Matilda]

Original Post Made By: Facebook User David Herman, in the Facebook Group: Stop Solar Farms
October 23, 2020

Need Bullet Points

I am looking for input as to additional bullet points that can be used in letters to neighbors of potential solar projects.

Please add any specific items you think would be of interest to anyone that has no knowledge of how having a solar project next to their home, will effect their lives.

Here is what I have so far:

• Components used with these solar panels have shorted out and started fires.

• Fires from solar farms have burned over 1,000 acres of land at one time.

• The solar panels they want to install near your home, will contain toxic cancer causing chemicals that can be released into the air through a smoke plume if it catches on fire, or through the ground water if the frame gets damaged by a storm, animal or any other reason.

• There will be miles and miles of tall chain link and barb wire fence installed to block you from viewing what was once healthy open farm land that would change colors with the seasons and provide homes for a variety of wildlife.

• During the months of construction, there will be the daily noise of bulldozers, trackhoes and other heavy equipment as they try to change the terrain by removing top soil, trees, hills and valleys, thus causing erosion and possibly flooding.

• As a result of these solar projects, your electric bill WILL see an increase in the form of a solar tax or simply a rate hike, to help cover the cost of building these solar projects.

• As a result of solar and wind projects being built across our state as well as other states, we are now being informed we need to install NEW heavy duty transmission lines, thus adding additional fees onto our electric bills to help cover the cost of these new transmission lines.

What else can we add at this point that would help educate individuals that have no knowledge of how a solar project next to their home will effect their life?

[Matilda]

Julie Aikens Langan

• Use of chemicals to keep vegetation down around fence ?

• They are selling these to communities by referencing them as a "farm." They are NOT a farm ! They are industrial solar projects !

• Look at your PPA - most likely the power produced isn't even being used in your state. This does not benefit us locally at all.

• They claim it will bring jobs in and stimulate the economy. My son is in construction. They don't have time for lunch at your local diner. They bring their lunch. They travel back and forth each day. No hotels provided. They will not be hiring local people to install the plants. They're from out of town and specialize in installation of solar plants.

• Check the situation of how the siting land was acquired. These are not all poor farmers about to lose their fields. These are scheming people that most likely thought ahead, looked at local zoning laws, or lack thereof, and specifically manipulated their land purchases to benefit themselves into retirement while they head to their retirement homes out of state.

Should I go on ?

[Matilda]

Suzie Browning
I had a concern about the possibility of increased crime. Where some homes would be surrounded on 3 and 4 sides, no neighbors would be able to see any unusual activity.

[Matilda]

David Herman
There is a risk of crime, partially because there have been reported cases where people are stealing the solar panels and equipment, so they do attract a certain element to the area's.