This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News. It is reproduced with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here.
Local opponents have succeeded in killing plans for a solar farm in rural Ohio that will now be one of the largest renewable energy projects in the country, canceled due to opposition from nearby residents and their elected leaders.
Mark Schein, a farmer whose land near Williamsport would have hosted part of the project, learned of the change in plans Thursday in a brief phone call with the developer, EDF Renewables. The company decided to withdraw its proposal to build the 400-megawatt Chipmunk Solar project in the face of a grassroots campaign and in light of state regulators’ recent rejections of projects that have local opposition.
Chipmunk will be the second largest solar panel in the United States that has been submitted for regulatory approval and then withdrawn due to local opposition for at least two years. The largest was Battle Born Solar, an 850-megawatt project in Nevada that was canceled by its developer last year, according to a database maintained by research firm Wood Mackenzie.
Mark Schein stands at the edge of a field last week, a few miles from his farm in Pickaway County, Ohio.
“I’m disappointed, and there are a few people here in the community that I don’t think I’ll talk to for the rest of my life,” Schein said, referring to neighbors who scuttled the project.
EDF confirmed its plans in a filing Thursday afternoon with the Ohio Power Siting Board and in a letter to Pickaway County government.
“While we were hopeful that the project would come to fruition, the nature of development activities, which are sometimes beyond our control, has forced us to make the difficult decision to no longer proceed,” the company said in the letter.
The opposition group said through its lawyer that it had no comment.
With the project’s demise, the community loses an expected $3.6 million a year in tax revenue, most of which would have gone to public schools. Property owners who signed leases with EDF will forgo an expected $3 million a year in lease payments, according to the company.
Mark and Toni Schein in their kitchen. They are among the dozen or so landowners who signed leases for the Chipmunk Solar project, a plan the developer will withdraw in the face of local opposition.
Based on a life expectancy of 30 years, the cancellation means local governments in this small rural county stand to lose about $100 million.
Last year at this time, it wasn’t much of a stretch to imagine that the Ohio Power Siting Board would approve the proposal in time for construction to begin in 2023. At the time, the board had never rejected a solar project.
The outlook changed, largely due to the efforts of local opponents who said solar power would harm the community by taking farmland out of production, reducing property values and destroying soil and water. They campaigned through yard signs and lobbying public officials, and succeeded in getting the county and township governments to pass resolutions opposing the project.
At the same time, the Power Siting Board departed from its track record by rejecting a proposal near Lima, about 125 miles northwest of Williamsport. The October decision showed the board was now considering local authority opposition as a basis for voting against a plan, even if the application otherwise met all standards for approval.
The campaign in Williamsport, on the edge of the Columbus metro area, is one of many examples of a growing opposition to renewable energy in rural America, a shift in attitudes that could make the transition to clean energy much more expensive and divisive, as each proposal threatens to turn into a longer fight.
Creating community ties
Chipmunk was among the 15 or so largest solar projects being developed in the Midwest, according to Wood Mackenzie, and it is now the largest in the region to be rejected or withdrawn. To see also : The Midland solar farm pumps electricity into Duke’s grid.
Matthew Sahd, a Wood Mackenzie solar analyst in New York, said Chipmunk’s cancellation is significant because of its size and because it is part of a pattern in Ohio of projects failing because of local opposition.
Chipmunk is the third Ohio project to be rejected or withdrawn since October; the other two, in the Dayton and Lima areas, were voted down by the Ohio Power Siting Board because of local opposition.
“It’s all just come to a tipping point with the amount of projects that are being developed and the amount of counties that have been developed,” Sahd said.
Even with the problems in Ohio, the state remains a hotbed for solar development, and regulators have approved many more projects this year than they have rejected. Demand for solar energy in the state is high due to companies like Amazon buying electricity to meet renewable energy consumption targets and utilities aiming to meet corporate goals or government requirements.
Developers have proposed or are in the process of building four utility-scale solar plants near Williamsport, Ohio.
Credit: Paul Horn/Inside Climate News
“Ohio will definitely be a top 10 state for renewable energy expansion through 2030,” Sahd said. “It just becomes (a question of) which developers can stand the test of time and create those community bonds early so their projects can come through.”
Rural culture, real estate concerns
Opponents of the solar project got the result they wanted. See the article : Machine-learning to predict the performance of organic solar cells.
The group, called Pickaway County Citizens Against Industrial Solar on Farmland, ran a highly visible campaign, including farm signs throughout the area, T-shirts and a booth at the county fair.
Opponents united on the idea that the county needs to preserve the culture and jobs of agriculture, and that solar energy is at odds with that culture. They have a lot of details about why they think solar is an unacceptable use of agricultural land, including concerns that solar is unsightly and will lead to a drop in property values, and that the panels contain harmful substances that will leach into soil and water and threatens human and animal health.
Opponents played down the potential for revenue from the project, arguing that solar is an unreliable resource that could not be counted on to meet the developer’s projections for taxes, and that local governments and schools already had sufficient support.
“We do not need additional tax revenue,” said a letter from the group to the Power Siting Board.
The eastern village limits of Williamsport, Ohio, on US 22. This community of about 1,000 is close to two solar projects under construction, two that have been proposed and one whose proposal is now being withdrawn by the developer.
Opponents have also noted that most of the land for the solar projects is owned by estates and land trusts controlled by people who no longer live in the community. The Scheins, who have a relatively small 250 acres, are an exception, as they still live on the land.
Supporters of the project have been frustrated by talk of property values and health risks because much of the evidence for this comes from sources designed to engender opposition to solar. The majority of research from universities and national laboratories has shown little effect on property values and negligible health risks.
Supporters also lamented that tax benefits received little discussion locally as school officials chose not to take sides in the debate. The result, supporters said, is the loss of a once-in-a-generation windfall that could have lowered taxes while improving education.
After more than a year of campaigning, opponents dominated the argument.
Despite the outcome, Schein said he still feels he did the right thing by signing the lease, even with all the conflict it brought.
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said.
Does cold weather damage solar panels?
Although cold weather will not adversely affect the performance of a solar panel, other factors such as snowfall can affect the overall level of energy production. Even if you live in an area where snow is expected every winter, that doesn’t mean a solar panel won’t be effective.
Can solar panels be left outside in the winter? Solar panels are a robust and reliable source of energy all year round, and are actually more efficient in colder temperatures.
Do solar panels get covered in snow?
Thanks to array design and installation, snow on panels rarely lasts more than a few days. You will even see solar panels completely free of snow while the rest of the roof is still covered in snow.
Do solar panels need to be cleared of snow?
The real problem is that solar panels go dormant and produce no power when they are covered in snow. It is important to clear the panels quickly and safely before ice forms and prevent snow from sliding off the panels.
How much snow can a solar panel hold?
Typical home solar panels can be several hundred pounds each, although you should check your panel to find your specific number. Be aware that snow can be quite heavy – up to nearly 40 pounds per day. cubic feet in some cases! Although it is usually less, as little as a few pounds per cubic feet.
What happens if it snows on solar panels?
A dusting of snow has little effect on solar panels because the wind can easily blow it off. Light is able to spread through a sparse coating and reach the panel to produce electricity. It’s a different story when heavy snow accumulates, preventing PV panels from generating power.
How do you maintain solar panels in the winter?
Keep these solar panels clean and clear The simple solution is to keep the panels as free of snow and ice as possible. Solar panels typically get hot enough from the sun’s rays to melt a layer of snow on their own. If you want to be more proactive and enjoy the sun faster, use a soft snow brush.
Are solar panels reliable in the winter?
Even in sub-freezing weather, solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. That’s because solar panels absorb energy from our sun’s abundant light, not the sun’s heat. In fact, cold climates are actually optimal for solar panel efficiency. As long as sunlight hits a solar panel, it will generate electricity.
Do solar panels need a lot of maintenance?
Solar panels generally require very little maintenance to operate, so yes, you can usually just leave them alone. All they need is a periodic light cleaning to ensure that dirt, leaves and other debris do not obstruct the sun’s rays.
At what temperature do solar panels stop working?
Most solar panels operate optimally in the laboratory at a standard test conditions (STC) temperature of 77°F. Their effectiveness degrades significantly when they reach 149°F.
Do solar panels stop working at a certain temperature?
Solar panels are generally tested at around 77°F and are rated to provide maximum efficiency between 59°F and 95°F. However, solar panels can get as hot as 149°F during the summer. When the surface temperature of your solar panels gets this high, the efficiency of the solar panel can drop somewhat.
At what temperature do solar panels overheat?
Solar panels for the home are tested at 25 °C (77 °F), so the solar panel temperature will generally be between 15 °C and 35 °C, below which solar cells will produce at maximum efficiency. However, solar panels can get as hot as 65 °C (149 °F), after which solar cell efficiency will be hampered.
Do solar panels stop working if they get too hot?
Heat can “severely reduce” the ability of solar panels to produce power, according to CED Greentech, a US solar equipment supplier. Depending on where they are installed, hot temperatures can reduce the output efficiency of solar panels by 10%-25%, the company says.
How long does it take for solar panels to pay for themselves in Ohio?
How long does it take to pay off solar panels in Ohio? The average payback period for solar panels in Ohio is about 11.5 years. Your payback period will depend on the cost of your system and the amount of power it generates. The more energy your system generates, the faster it pays for itself.
How long does it take to get your money back from solar panels? The most common estimate of the average payback period for solar panels is six to ten years. This is a pretty wide range because there are many factors that will affect the number of years it can take to pay off your panels and the monthly savings you can expect.
Is it worth it to go solar in Ohio?
Solar power in Ohio is an excellent investment for your home. State law requires utilities to offer full retail net metering to their customers, meaning Ohio homeowners can significantly lower their electric bills with solar.
What is the downside of getting solar panels?
Solar Cons
- Standard solar for the home does not ‘work’ at night.
- Solar panels for the home are not attractive.
- DIY solar installation is difficult (if not impossible) for most homeowners.
- Not all roof configurations are ideal for maximum solar energy production.
- Solar cell production is not good for the environment.
Does Ohio have a solar tax credit?
The federal solar tax credit and Ohio incentives can lower the upfront investment and help you save thousands of dollars. After applying the incentives, your savings will depend on your energy consumption and the size of the solar system.
Is a solar roof worth it in Ohio?
Yes, solar panels will increase your home value in Ohio, provided you buy them cash or with a solar loan. The average property will jump in value by about 4.1% when a solar energy system is installed, according to Zillow. In Ohio, this averages about $8,296 in added value.
Will a solar system pay for itself?
Key takeaways. Solar panels pay for themselves over time by saving you money on your utility bill, and in some cases, you earn money through ongoing incentive payments. The payback period for solar panels averages between 5 and 15 years in the US, depending on where you live.
Are there any disadvantages to solar energy?
High initial cost of material and installation and long ROI (but with the reduction in the cost of solar over the last 10 years, solar is becoming more cost effective every day) Requires a lot of space as the efficiency is not 100% yet. No solar power at night, so a large battery bank is needed.
Is solar power worth it in Ireland?
Many people wonder if solar panels are worth it in Ireland, a country where days can be gray and rainy. However, the short answer is YES, they are definitely worth it.
Does Ohio reimburse for solar panels?
Under Ohio’s net metering policy, solar producers can sell their excess energy back to the grid in exchange for credits on their utility bills. Net metered customers in the state receive credits for their utility’s full retail rate.
How much money can you make selling electricity back to the grid in Ohio?
Most systems generate enough energy to earn about one credit per month, which means Ohio homeowners can earn between $50 to $100 in a year.
Does Ohio have an energy tax credit?
The Energy Credit Program provides 25 percent and 30 percent credits on heating bills or a direct cash payment of $125 to qualified individuals.
How does the solar tax credit work in Ohio?
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit If you install your solar system before the end of 2032, the federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 30% off the entire system cost including equipment, labor and permitting.
What are the 2 main disadvantages of solar energy?
High initial cost of material and installation and long ROI (but with the reduction in the cost of solar over the last 10 years, solar is becoming more cost effective every day) Requires a lot of space as the efficiency is not 100% yet.
What is the biggest problem with solar energy? One of the biggest problems that solar energy technology poses is that energy is only generated while the sun is shining. This means that night and cloudy days can interrupt the supply.
What are the 2 disadvantages to solar energy?
Disadvantages of solar energy
- The high initial costs of installing panels. The most commonly cited disadvantage of solar power, cost, is falling as the industry expands. …
- Storing solar energy is expensive. …
- Solar energy does not work for all roof types. …
- Solar panels are dependent on sunlight.
What are 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of solar energy?
| Advantages of solar energy | Disadvantages of solar energy |
|---|---|
| Reduces the electricity bill | High start-up costs |
| Provides tax incentives | Time consuming |
| Pairs with Solar Battery Storage | Weather dependent |
| Environmentally friendly | Strict criteria |
What is a major disadvantage of using solar power?
cost. The number of solar panels required to capture energy for an entire home typically costs tens of thousands of dollars, making the electricity they produce cost significantly more than that provided by conventional power sources.
What are 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of solar energy?
| Advantages of solar energy | Disadvantages of solar energy |
|---|---|
| Reduces the electricity bill | Weather dependent |
| Various applications | Storing solar energy is expensive |
| Low maintenance costs | Uses a lot of space |
| Technology development | Associated with pollution |
What are the 2 main advantages to solar energy?
Solar energy is clean. It creates no carbon emissions or other heat-trapping “greenhouse gases”. It avoids environmental damage associated with mining or drilling for fossil fuels. Furthermore, solar energy also uses little or no water, unlike power plants that generate electricity using steam turbines.
What is the disadvantage of solar energy Why?
The disadvantages are that it only produces energy when the sun is shining, needs a significant amount of land, and that certain solar technologies require rare materials.
How effective are solar panels in Ohio?
Yes, solar panels will increase your home value in Ohio, provided you buy them cash or with a solar loan. The average property will jump in value by about 4.1% when a solar energy system is installed, according to Zillow.
What is the downside of getting solar panels? Solar Cons
- Standard solar for the home does not ‘work’ at night.
- Solar panels for the home are not attractive.
- DIY solar installation is difficult (if not impossible) for most homeowners.
- Not all roof configurations are ideal for maximum solar energy production.
- Solar cell production is not good for the environment.
Is going solar worth it in Ohio?
Ohio also has a renewable portfolio standard with a solar carve-out, which requires utilities to obtain 12.5% of electricity sold to be derived from renewable energy sources by 2027. Net metering, combined with the 26% federal tax credit, makes solar an excellent choice for homeowners in Ohio.
Do solar panels add value to your house in Ohio?
Solar panels can also increase your home’s value. According to the US Department of Energy, solar panels can increase a home’s resale value by $15,000. How much can I save by investing in solar energy? The federal solar tax credit and Ohio incentives can lower the upfront investment and help you save thousands of dollars.
Is there a downside to having solar?
The disadvantages are that it only produces energy when the sun is shining, needs a significant amount of land, and that certain solar technologies require rare materials.