Arcadia solar farm sees some support

ARCADIA — Plans for a proposed solar farm, to occupy up to 1,000 acres northeast of Arcadia, seemed to have a receptive audience Thursday at a public information meeting. About 80 people milled about and chatted at the gathering, which had an open house format. Nine easels displayed information about the proposed South Branch solar farm, and representatives of the solar farm stood nearby explaining the project to Arcadia area residents as they passed. South Branch's parent company, Leeward Renewable Energy, is planning to begin construction of the plant in fall of 2022 and begin operation in 2023. Five property owners in the area have agreed to give Leeward the option to lease or purchase their land for the operation. But Leeward first needs approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board before it can start construction. Most residents at Thursday's meeting seemed less interested in digesting technical information than in chatting with neighbors and friends. Many stood aloof from the easels or sat in folding chairs, informally arranged in partial circles, and talked. It was a far cry from the scene in that same building two days earlier when opponents of the project warned of people becoming blind and having their lives shortened by the solar farm. Birds would be attracted by glaring solar panels, then burned and killed, some warned on Tuesday. On Thursday, solar farm representatives disputed those claims. "That's not the case. It's not going to shorten anybody's lifespan," said John Wieland, vice president of development for Leeward Renewable Energy, the parent company of South Branch Solar. Nor would the panels blind anyone or harm any birds, he said. "That is just not the case with this technology that we're installing," Wieland said. Unlike some of the solar panels in the western United States, the panels that would be installed near Arcadia would employ technology that enables them to absorb sunlight, not reflect it. "Solar farms are a safe, passive use," Wieland said. "They create no air pollution, no water pollution, no chemical emissions. "Low-impact use. … You're not going to have a lot of trucks coming through. It doesn't draw on municipal services, by way of sewer and water. In terms of odors, nonexistent. No dust." Residents' views of the panels would be screened by trees, shrubs, flowers and a deer fence, he said. "It's a good neighbor," he said. But the solar panels would emit revenue for Arcadia schools, Hancock County, Washington Township and other taxing districts, he said. Arcadia schools would be at the front of the revenue line, getting $984,000 per year, Leeward Renewable Energy proclaimed on one of the easels. Hancock County would be in line for $722,000 per year; Washington Township would get $94,000 per year; the village of Arcadia, $31,000 per year; Hancock Park District, $28,000 per year; the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, $16,000 per year. Plus, during construction, 420 construction-related jobs would be created, along with 650 supply chain, hospitality and related jobs. "Kathy's Korner (Restaurant) is probably going to have to find Kathy's Korner II," Wieland said. Leeward Renewable Energy projects the solar farm would be operating for about 40 years. A common concern about solar farms is over who would be responsible for the cleanup of the facilities and equipment after they close. Wieland said Leeward would have to post a bond with the state, paying for all the closing and cleanup before it would even begin operating the solar farm. Leeward has not yet submitted its formal application with the state Power Siting Board for the solar farm. Wieland said he is uncertain when the application will be filed. Leeward representatives are still meeting with residents to get their feedback and tweak the plan's design. But despite the opposition voiced by some residents earlier this week, others support the project, he said. "I think there's a bunch of folks that really don't want to speak up because there are folks that have been vocally opposed and some, they don't want to get in the middle of it," Wieland said. "And I understand that." Wilin: 419-427-8413