father with his younger kid daughter sitting on his shoulders outdoors under bright sunshine

Solar energy is a safe, effective way of generating clean, homegrown energy that preserves the environment, protects neighbors' interests and benefits the entire community. 

With all the news about solar energy, it may be difficult to separate the real answers from the myths. We feel it is important to share the facts.

 

Myth: Solar panels are dangerous and leach chemicals into the ground and pose a risk to public health.

Reality: People have been safely living and working around solar panels for generations. Panels are made of solid materials and do not pose a chemical hazard to the general public, underlying soil or groundwater. Solar photovoltaic panels consist of glass, polymer, aluminum, copper and semiconductor materials that can be recovered and recycled at the end of their useful life. In fact, studies1 have shown that health-related air quality benefits from solar energy are worth even more than the electricity itself.

 

Myth: Solar panels are not safely disposed of after use.

Reality: To the extent possible, project equipment will be reconditioned, resourced, donated and/or recycled. Any materials that cannot be recycled will be safely disposed of at approved facilities. Photovoltaic solar panel recycling technologies have been implemented over the past decade and have been shown to recover more than 95% of semiconductor material and more than 90% of the glass in the panel. The industry is exploring the most cost-effective ways to recycle.

 

Myth: The construction and operation of solar facilities are noisy.

Reality: During the construction period, noise at the project site would be typical of construction sites. Once the project is complete, the noise level will comply with the Township ordinance requirements. Typically noise level would be low, and come from the power equipment such as the power inverters or transformers. The sounds will decrease as the distance from the equipment gets larger. Virtually no sound will be audible outside the boundary of the project.

 

Myth: The project will lower residents' property values.

Reality: There is no evidence to indicate a solar project will impact neighboring property values. In fact, a 2018 study by Cohn and Resnick2, a Chicago-based firm that specializes in property valuation, looked at home sales in proximity to six solar farms in Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota. It found no measurable impact on property values adjacent to solar farms. Importantly, a solar project brings numerous economic benefits to a community, including the potential for millions of dollars in additional tax revenue which can be used to enhance both the quality of life and overall value of the community. Solar projects can deliver these economic benefits without making additional demands or impact on community services.

 

Myth: The project will create an eyesore for the community.

Reality: Solar projects are more subtle than most people realize. The proposed panels will be 5-6 ft in height when the sun is directly overhead or as it sets. The panels will track the sun and rotate on an axis resulting in an average maximum height of 12 ft. Additionally, Grass Lake Solar is working on a plan to use landscape screening created from native species that will screen the project from the view of its nearby neighbors. This landscape screening will protect the visual aesthetic of the community.

 

Myth: Taxpayers may get stuck with the bill for the costs of decommissioning the project.

Reality: Grass Lake Solar will have a fully funded decommissioning plan. The project is required to provide a decommissioning plan to remove all solar panels and return land to its original condition. To ensure taxpayers do not have to pay for removing any part of a facility, NextEra Energy Resources will post a bond to cover the costs of decommissioning.

 

Myth: This project will bring no benefits to Grass Lake and Leoni Township.

Reality: This project is expected to contribute up to $15 million in added tax revenue for Grass Lake and Leoni Township, which can be used to support essential services such as local schools, medical care, libraries, roads, public safety and more. Grass Lake Solar will create up to 200 good-paying construction jobs and will support the local community through the increased purchase of goods and services.

 

1 1Wiser, Ryan et al. “On the Path to SunShot: The Environmental and Public Health Benefits of Achieving High Penetrations of Solar Energy in the United States.” National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2016

2 1McGarr, Patricia. Property Value Impact Study. Cohn Reznick LLP Valuation Advisory Services, 2 May 2018