Negative Impacts of Industrial Solar

The area landowners currently leasing acres to outsider Industrial Solar Companies will not produce energy for our area! Merchant Solar Generating Facilities sell energy wholesale on the 'grid' to huge companies like Amazon and Google for Green Energy Tax Credits. 

• Despite current discussions regarding decommissioning, the reality is that this rural land will be lost forever. Industrial-scale solar projects are typically for 30-40 years.
• Construction of an industrial-scale solar power plant requires removal of trees, brush and root balls prior to installation of the arrays, creating an ecological wasteland. Grading, pile driving, blasting, electric cable trenching and road construction will compact the soil, likely delaying agricultural use for years after the project’s end. 
• Stripping and compaction removes topsoil, destroys healthy soil organisms and allows for invasion of exotic plants that choke out native species.

Solar power’s inefficiency argues for proper siting on brownfields, industrial areas, and commercial and residential rooftops - not on open or forested, agricultural and rural land.

Based on recent studies, the expected reduction in property value ranged from 5-25% depending on proximity.

Insufficient surety fund by the developer could result in county responsibility for decommissioning costs. Net Decommissioning costs can range from $43,584/MW to $101,915/MW. No plan and cost should ever be approved without a full understanding of the cost to return the land to its original condition, and the county should not be responsible for this cost.

Local planning commissions and boards of supervisors should vote to reject industrial-scale solar power plants when people in the community oppose it. With time, greater awareness of solar issues and accountability will take place.

Temporary soil stabilization measures, such as spreading a layer of mulch, will

not be effective in active construction zones.  Project construction should be staged over several years to limit the risk to the wetlands and streams.

• Muddy runoff management techniques can be demonstrated before sensitive environmental areas are put at risk.
• Construction timing for each stage should be specified to ensure grass can be grown when construction is completed for permanent stabilization.

Innergex is one of several companies who wish to cover 10,000 acres (or more) of prime Mason County farmland with industrial solar panels. A project manager of the company confirmed that Innergex used panels containing Cadmium Telluride at the nearby Mount Orab facility. Below are statements from the CDH Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and Fire Protection and Safety Foundation relating to the toxicity and handling of Cadmium Telluride. References available.

Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS)  Cadmium Telluride

SECTION 6: Accidental release measures 6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing dust. For personal protection see section 8. 6.2 Environmental precautions Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided. 6.3 Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal. 6.4 Reference to other sections For disposal see section 13. SECTION 7: Handling and storage 7.1 Precautions for safe handling Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed. For precautions see section 2.2. 7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities Store in cool place. Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Storage class (TRGS 510): Non-combustible, acute toxic Cat.3 / toxic hazardous materials or hazardous materials causing chronic effects

Fire Protection and Safety Foundation

Cadmiun Telluride is a commonly used photovoltaic technology. When the panels are damaged by fire it introduces potentially dangerous levels of materials such as cadmium, a known carcinogenic. Do not touch fire damaged panels without protective gloves. For large solar systems involved in a fire, additional precautions should be considered to protect downward populations from respiratory . Some of the materials used in solar power components are known to be a problem when they decompose in a fire. Although stable under normal conditions, they exhibit adverse effects if released as a vapor or fluid.

Panels damaged by fire or extreme weather events may well leak toxic materials, not just Cadmium which is highly carcinogenic.  Many in the community seem to be relying on developers to give "unbiased" information on cash benefits, energy production, property values, setbacks, toxicity & drainage.

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