Recent appeals court rulings are beginning to shed light on how far Minnesota counties can go to limit solar development on farmland.
The Minnesota Court of Appeal recently ruled in three cases involving rural counties that it rejected developers ’plans to build community solar farms. The court dismissed dismissals from McLeod County twice last year, although last month it affirmed Stearns County’s right to reject a solar project.
The cases reflect growing tension between the solar industry and rural county officials who fear the sun will reduce property values, destroy agricultural landscapes and potentially harm livestock.
“There’s kind of a continuous evolution – and we’re seeing this in Stearns County, specifically – of an attitude that sees solar as an impact on rural character,” said Brian Ross, vice president of renewable energy for the Great Institute. Plains.
It is not a new issue. The appellate court has ruled in at least two other community solar farm cases since 2017, both in Carver County. One asserts the county board’s right to deny a developer a conditional use permit; the other reversed its decision against a solar farm proposal. But conflicts are occurring more often because of the growing number of projects, said Ross, who has worked with communities on solar zoning issues for several years.
The Stearns and McLeod cases had similarities, with both counties arguing that community solar farms would be on major farmland after developers sought conditional use permits.
McLeod County board voted 3-2 against a plan by U.S. developer Solar for a small 500-kilowatt community solar farm even though board members conceded that the conditional use permit application has reached its criteria. The court reversed the action in July 2021, finding that the county failed to prove many of its assertions involving the negative impact of the garden on surrounding land values. He also asked if the property could be defined as “main agricultural soil.”
This year the appeal case overturned McLeod’s rejection of another US Solar project that applied for conditional use permits for two solar farms on 17 acres. The issues were largely the same as the first except that the county has raised greater concerns about widespread voltage, in which electrical currents leak from damaged equipment or power lines, potentially affecting animal health.
In 2020, solar developer Impact Power Solutions (IPS) asked Stearns for a conditional use permit to lease 7.5 acres of 113-acre parcel in Paynesville Township for a 1-megawatt solar garden. The site was adjacent to another solar farm and four miles from four other solar projects. Stearns County commissioners rejected the application, prompting an appeal from the solar developer.
The difference in the Stearns County case was that it had already established a rule in its comprehensive plan that would allow commissioners to preserve farmland even when an applicant meets other conditions, Ross said. The land was also in agricultural areas, so the developer needed a conditional use permit. The court rejected the IPS argument, agreed with the county that the property was agricultural land and used legally sufficient reasoning to deny the conditional use permit.
The Stearns County comprehensive plan encourages solar development in some areas. The county has a well-established and progressive solar policy featured in a case study by the Great Plains Institute. The language of the comprehensive plan supporting solar and primary agriculture has led judges to “defer to [the county] because they have done all their procedures well,” Ross said.
Ross believes what is happening in Stearns and McLeod counties could be the next trouble prison. Xcel Energy, which runs the community’s solar program, is awaiting dozens of projects waiting to be approved that add more than hundreds of megawatts of power to the grid. The utility has plans to build thousands of megawatts, some on its own land, but may have to rent property for projects.
The two counties began seeing solar projects clustered near interconnection points, Ross said. Part of this is a direct result of a state rule limiting community solar sales to residents living in the county where the sun is located or adjacent counties. That has sparked a number of projects in counties near urban centers with available land. St. Cloud is the seat of Stearns County, while McLeod sits just outside the Twin Cities subway region.
The Minnesota Association of Solar Energy Industries has put pressure on the Legislature to change the regulation of contiguous counties to allow for a broader geographic footprint for the solar community. Logan O’Grady, the association’s executive director, said that when counties kill solar projects, they lose the potential for high-paying jobs and leave developers with wasted hours of work.
It is also arbitrary, he argues. “The Stearns County decision means that approval for solar projects will continue to be decided based not on the merits of the projects but rather the changing political views of the elected boards,” O’Grady said. “For every industry, not just solar, the process for the site and the project permit must be stable, predictable and fair. These processes should not be swayed by elections. “
Eric Pasi, chief development officer for IPS, said the Stearns case raised issues that are usually seen by developers in rural areas. “Many jurisdictions in Minnesota and across the country are concerned with land use, particularly in areas where agriculture is dominant,” he said. However, research has shown that the state can power 70% of its solar energy needs by using only 0.4% of agricultural land, Pasi said.
A growing number of solar farms employ “dual-use” strategies by hosting pollinator or agrovoltaic habitats that combine solar with agriculture, Pasi said. Solar can help “heal and restore the land by not constantly farming or pesticides,” he said, using native vegetation. However, projects with those assets still do not always convince county boards to debate whether to grant them conditional use permits.
Rice predicts that the problem will eventually be solved as more communities see the benefits of the sun and its importance in decarbonization. As only a handful of counties have anywhere near Stearns ’solar activity level – which has dozens of pending applications for solar farms – he doesn’t think others will copy the language of the use permit. its conditionality.
Nathan Schmalz, McLeod County Commissioner, represents the city where U.S. Solar projects are being built. After hearing about how Stearns regulates solar farms, he hopes McLeod can incorporate a similar approach into his comprehensive plan to protect farmland.
McLeod is adding regulations on solar farm hurdles and needs interconnection agreements before deciding on applications for conditional use permits. Schmalz said landowners have begun to spread fears of having too many solar farms and the board is concerned about the loss of agricultural land.
McLeod approved many solar projects, he said, but at least six that were approved did not start because of supply and labor problems, he said. The solar community lost some of its appeal to county officials when regulators restricted the solar community to 1 megawatt, a limitation that eliminated the solar energy production tax that solar farm owners pay the counties, Schmalz said.
Now the county board’s attention has shifted to working with US Solar to make sure the company carries enough bindings for the decommissioning of solar installations at McLeod when that time comes. “There’s a lot of the unknown and it’s hard to value something that will be decommissioned decades from now,” he said.
McGarr’s studies found no consistent negative impact on the value of residential property that can be attributed to nearby solar farms.
Do you need planning permission for a solar farm?
The main points for solar farms are either on flat ground or on a south-facing slope. Ground-mounted solar panel systems of more than 9m sq (4-5 large solar panels) require planning permission. This means that all solar farms require a planning permit.
How do you start a solar farm?
18 Important Steps to Starting a Solar Farm Business To see also : TotalEnergies buys stake in US renewables producer.
- Look at Your Competition. …
- Obtain Professional Certification. …
- Know Your Target Market. …
- Choose a Business Name. …
- Create a Business Plan. …
- Your Business Brand. …
- Form a Legal Entity and Register. …
- Open a Business Bank Account.
How to Build a Solar Farm? It shall be on flat ground and cleared with minimal wetlands and close to three-phase power and transmission substation. Rows upon rows of solar panels, typically mounted on shelving systems, are then strategically placed to make the most of unused farm or commercial land.
Can I make my own solar farm?
Starting your own solar farm is a great use of land. They help support clean energy goals and create stronger communities with access to affordable energy. To see also : How is solar energy generated from the sun ?. Also, even if you are not well equipped to build or maintain a solar farm yourself, that does not mean you cannot rent your land for solar farm use.
How much energy can 1 acre of solar panels produce?
Many types of solar panels vary in efficiency, cost, and electricity production. However, 40% of solar farms use about 3.5 acres to produce one GWh per year. This value translates to 0.28571 GWh / acre / year, or 285.71 MWh / acre / year.
How profitable is a solar farm?
Solar farms can be very profitable over as wide a range as possible, between $ 20000 to $ 60,000 per acre.
Is a solar farm a good investment?
Investing in renewable energy provides alternatives to fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources. While this is an incredible motivator, it is also important to consider the return on solar farm investment, or ROI. The average ROI for a traditional solar farm is 10 to 20%.
How profitable is a solar farm?
Solar farms can be very profitable over as wide a range as possible, between $ 20000 to $ 60,000 per acre.
Can you make money off a solar farm?
Solar farms typically cost between $ 0.89 to $ 1.01 per watt to install. The average 1 MW farm can earn about $ 43,500 a year by selling its electricity to utilities. Landowners who rent their land for a solar farm can earn between $ 250- $ 3,000 per acre / year.
How much profit do solar companies make?
A typical return is about 6% a year, but this requires a long-term investment strategy as the company owner. For companies that install panels only for customers who pay all at once, you can see profits of $ 5,000 to $ 10,000 per job. However, this requires a constant flow of new contracts.
Is solar farm a good investment?
Investing in renewable energy provides alternatives to fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources. While this is an incredible motivator, it is also important to consider the return on solar farm investment, or ROI. The average ROI for a traditional solar farm is 10 to 20%.
Is a solar farm a good business?
Are Solar Renewable Energy Farms Profitable? Yes. A solar farm makes money through its Energy Purchase Agreements. With the PPA, wholesale energy-supplying solar farms were earning $ 24 per MW.
Are solar businesses profitable?
A typical return is about 6% a year, but this requires a long-term investment strategy as the company owner. For companies that install panels only for customers who pay all at once, you can see profits of $ 5,000 to $ 10,000 per job.
Is solar farm a good investment?
Investing in renewable energy provides alternatives to fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources. While this is an incredible motivator, it is also important to consider the return on solar farm investment, or ROI. The average ROI for a traditional solar farm is 10 to 20%.
Do solar farms devalue property?
It is a common misconception that land-mounted solar farms reduce nearby property values. Examination of property value in states across the United States shows that large-scale solar arrays often have no measurable impact on the value of adjacent properties, and in some cases it may even have positive effects.
Do solar panels reduce property values? Few studies have shown that solar installations increase the resale value of a home by up to $ 6,000 per kilowatt of installed solar panels, or by about 4.1% of the value of the home. However, this can vary quite a bit from one geographical location to another, even for comparable homes with similar solar panel systems.
Do solar farms devalue property UK?
Anyway, we find evidence to suggest that solar farms lead to a reduction in the price of housing of about 2-3%. Not surprisingly, the effect is more localized than the turbine effect and limited to 1km.
Do solar farms affect property values UK?
In short, while people seemed to blame wind and solar farms for a decline in the value of their property, other factors were much more significant, and detached property, the dominant form of housing near wind and solar farms showed no impact on price.
How much does a 1 acre solar farm cost UK?
The average value per acre of UK farmland in 2020 was between £ 12,000 and £ 15,000, although plots can easily exceed this depending on location and accessibility.
How profitable is a solar farm UK?
Rental income from solar farms continues to work well, with solar rents with no actual subsidy at any between £ 850 – £ 1,100 per acre per year depending on size and location. ‘top up’ offer another incentive for landowners, with many gaining a percentage of around 4-6%.
Are solar farms a good idea?
Solar farms use a reliable and clean energy source. The simple fact of the matter is that the sun is not going anywhere in the foreseeable future. However, the same cannot be said for energy sources such as fossil fuels and coal. Solar farms do not cause pollution.
What is the disadvantage of solar farms? It can have a negative impact on the local environment. Land can no longer be used for anything other than power generation. Reflective panels may not be personally appealing to some people. The panels, once installed, can also change local habitats and affect wildlife in negative ways.
Why would you not want a solar farm?
Although solar generation is emission-free, the construction process can have detrimental effects on the environment. The process of producing raw materials and site facilities disrupts local ecosystems. PV panels require some rare materials, such as silver, whose extraction is energy intensive and polluting.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar farms?
| Advantages of Solar Energy | Disadvantages of Solar Energy |
|---|---|
| Reduce Electricity Bills | Weather Dependents |
| Various Applications | Solar Energy storage is expensive |
| Low Maintenance Costs | Uses A Lot Of Space |
| Technology Development | Associated with Pollution |
What are the problems with solar farms?
Clearing and using large areas of land for solar energy facilities can adversely affect native vegetation and wildlife in many ways, including habitat loss; interference with rain and drainage; or direct contact causing injury or death.
Is owning a solar farm profitable?
Solar farms can be very profitable over as wide a range as possible, between $ 20000 to $ 60,000 per acre.
How much money can you make with a solar farm?
Solar farms typically cost between $ 0.89 to $ 1.01 per watt to install. The average 1 MW farm can earn about $ 43,500 a year by selling its electricity to utilities. Landowners who rent their land for a solar farm can earn between $ 250- $ 3,000 per acre / year.
Is a solar farm a good business?
Are Solar Renewable Energy Farms Profitable? Yes. A solar farm makes money through its Energy Purchase Agreements. With the PPA, wholesale energy-supplying solar farms were earning $ 24 per MW.
How much profit do solar companies make?
A typical return is about 6% a year, but this requires a long-term investment strategy as the company owner. For companies that install panels only for customers who pay all at once, you can see profits of $ 5,000 to $ 10,000 per job. However, this requires a constant flow of new contracts.
Are solar farms worth joining?
Connecting to a community solar farm can be a great option if your roof is not sunny or you don’t want solar panels installed on your property. Even if your roof is good for the sun, enrolling in a community solar project can still be worth it if the costs are low and the contract terms are beneficial.
Is joining a community solar farm a good idea?
Community solar farms typically operate on a subscription-free model without upfront costs. There are many benefits to the solar community, including: saving on bills, its environmental friendliness, and the fact that you don’t need to be a property owner to participate.
Is a solar farm a good business?
Are Solar Renewable Energy Farms Profitable? Yes. A solar farm makes money through its Energy Purchase Agreements. With the PPA, wholesale energy-supplying solar farms were earning $ 24 per MW.
Is it worth investing in solar farms?
Although large solar farms are very expensive to develop, once contracts and utilities are built and signed, investors can earn a stable return, such as 6-8% per year. Although solar projects must continue to pay the cost of maintenance and rent to the landowner, they do not need expensive inputs such as fuel.