There is more and more solar activity bubbling up in the state of Florida. More and more counties are becoming active. In this case, it is Marion County, Florida. And they are joining a list of counties in Florida getting solar proactive.
Marion County’s first solar farm project will move forward after the County Commission gave the green light to allow the facility on 1,100 acres of agricultural land near the city of Dunnellon.
Renewable Management Services of Riviera Beach presented the $100 million project, dubbed ‘Dunnellon Farms Solar’, during the County Commission’s Planning and Zoning meeting.
After many inquiries questioning everything from the size of wildlife openings in fences to the hurricane resistance of the solar panels, the commission voted unanimously, 5-0 to grant the company a special-use permit.
What are the Details of the Project
The company plans to build a 74.9-megawatt solar facility on land adjacent to the Withlacoochee River. The solar panels would occupy about 300 acres within the city of Dunnellon and Marion County.
Some residents are worried about the impact the project will have on their property value. But there doesn’t seem to be any evidence that similar projects have negatively affected property values.
Recently, the Alachua County Commission denied a proposal for a 643-acre solar farm due to concerns it could affect property values. Commissioners voted 3-2 against the project.
The facility uses no water, produces no emissions and operates automatically, eliminating the need for on-site workers. The only time people will be on the site is for maintenance and quarterly inspections. There won’t be any noisy machinery on the property either. The only noise produced comes from cooling fans on four pieces of equipment located within the property.
How Will This Be Constructed
Construction will consist of installing fencing around the solar panel area and sinking galvanized steel poles into the ground to mount the panels. The poles are driven 6 feet into the earth, with 14 feet remaining above the surface. The systems could handle 130 mph winds, and trees and bushes will surround the panel field, obscuring it from view.
Even with the approval, the project still has a ways to go. The power plant could go online sometime between 2022 and 2023. Once operational, the facility could produce enough energy to power 15,000 homes.
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