Anyone live near a solar Farm?

[gsganzer]

Related to my previous question about a wind farm. It's looking more and more probable that the wind farm project might only be a solar project. In fact, they've already broken ground on Twelve Mile 1, 2 and 3. Twelve Mile fact sheet

The place I'm looking at is on Hwy 22, just south west of the upper project (Twelve Mile 3). Neither 1, 2, 3 can be seen from the property I'm looking at. But are in close proximity.

They're in the planning stages for 4 and I'm trying to find some details and map for that one.

 

[paulsharvey]

Related to my previous question about a wind farm. It's looking more and more probable that the wind farm project might only be a solar project. In fact, they've already broken ground on Twelve Mile 1, 2 and 3. Twelve Mile fact sheet

The place I'm looking at is on Hwy 22, just south west of the upper project (Twelve Mile 3). Neither 1, 2, 3 can be seen from the property I'm looking at. But are in close proximity.

They're in the planning stages for 4 and I'm trying to find some details and map for that one.

How near are we talking? I have lived within maybe 3 miles, as the crow flies too one, and currently I'm probably 6 miles, as crow flies.

Is the concern the finished product or the construction? The construction is intensive, lot of earth work, thousands of foundations, then gravel, and access routes and fencing. Once done, its basically 2 or 3 guys 1/month herbicide spraying, and mowing. Now, im guessing every 15 years you have a moderate rehab job. The build is often 18 months; im guessing a major rehab is 6 months?

Edit: there are upsides; they will likely upgrade any poor quality dirt roads to atleast stabalized roads for cranes/deliveries, ect. Yeah, it will be a bit dusty, but they generally run water trucks on the site and roads to keep dust down. Erosion and such; power companies around here are hyper focused on environmental, to the point of being over the top.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, FPL, Florida Power and Light, does fence their solar farms, but they dont general hide them with plantings or landscape buffers. Some others may, idk. Once they are in, you drive by them, but dont even notice/think about them after a few months.

 

[sandman2234]

I see signs in some areas that "say no to commercial solar farms". Most of that is being driven by people opposed to using good farm land for solar, and in huge chunks! I have not heard of an issue from living close to a solar farm, but I am sure there is a slight issue, just like living too near high tension power lines. Some say it doesn't hurt anything, but I tend to live a little further than right next to one. The power coming out of the solar field would worry me more than the panels.
David from jax

 

[rontaki]

I worry that we might overload the Sun. Does anyone know where the breaker or fuse is, and how to reset or replace it?

 

[paulsharvey]

I worry that we might overload the Sun. Does anyone know where the breaker or fuse is, and how to reset or replace it?

Well, it takes a good 18 months to build one, and it is a heavy construction project. So, if you are within a mile, you will have issues for that time. Also, directly butting up to a large solar farm, id rather not.

However, the solar farm is much less intrusive than an actual peanut or cotton farm, after its built. While its building, its not so far off from any otherlarge commercial building project

 

[Fixastuff]

I worry that we might overload the Sun. Does anyone know where the breaker or fuse is, and how to reset or replace it?

You should be worried about the oil powered gravity generator at the center of the earth running out. That’s why I always pour my old engine oil back into my well!

 

[D&D]

I see signs in some areas that "say no to commercial solar farms". Most of that is being driven by people opposed to using good farm land for solar, and in huge chunks! I have not heard of an issue from living close to a solar farm, but I am sure there is a slight issue, just like living too near high tension power lines. Some say it doesn't hurt anything, but I tend to live a little further than right next to one. The power coming out of the solar field would worry me more than the panels.
David from jax

Yea, we tried that. Very strong community opposition. The state dept of environment said no too, somehow though, it got built.

 

[4get gto]

We have 40-50 acre field beside our house and there was once talk about a solar field being built there. The acreage is currently being used for corn or soybeans.
The land is in no land preservation so you know at some point it will be sold off to someone at a very inflated price.
Prime land for housing.
So if I was given a choice would I want to live next to a solar farm or have 30-40 new neighbors and a housing development. ?

 

[gsganzer]

We have 40-50 acre field beside our house and there was once talk about a solar field being built there. The acreage is currently being used for corn or soybeans.
The land is in no land preservation so you know at some point it will be sold off to someone at a very inflated price.
Prime land for housing.
So if I was given a choice would I want to live next to a solar farm or have 30-40 new neighbors and a housing development. ?

Agree, at least you know what's next to you. There's actually a benefit to the nearby fields not getting plowed a couple of times a year. Where we live now, when the rancher plows, all of our stuff gets covered in dust.
I learned of another proposed solar farm being built in the same area by Nextera, scheduled for completion in 2027. With the various solar farms and the extensive land lease agreements, I feel like I'll be doing mental gymnastics every time there are modifications, expansions, utilities/infrastructure notices to figure out how it would impact our place. That's no way to enjoy a piece of property.

I'm letting it marinate a bit more to see what else I can learn on Monday, but I've drafted a letter of decline to the realtor.