Friday, August 9, 2024 Blog · News

Solar Mythbusting

by Emmi Palenbaum
At the Coastal Conservation League, we are big supporters of responsibly sited solar farms. Unfortunately, we have recently heard a litany of myths from solar opponents, often related to conservation issues. Here are some solar truths to help set the record straight.

Truth #1: Solar energy does not take up much land.

Despite what you might hear, solar farms do not take up much land. Even in counties with a lot of utility-scale solar development, it typically only takes up 1-2% of the land area. The National Renewable Energy Lab has estimated that solar panels will occupy just 0.3% of U.S. land area by 2030.

Truth #2: Solar is good for wildlife.

By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution, solar energy plays a central role in mitigating one of the biggest threats to wildlife: climate change. Solar farms are also much less disruptive to wildlife habitats than the most likely alternative uses for the land, such as commercial and residential development. We work with solar developers to make sure that projects avoid wetlands and critical habitats and include conservation mitigation measures, such as wildlife corridors, vegetative buffers, wildlife-friendly fencing, pollinator plants, bird and bat boxes, and antennae for helping to track tagged wildlife.

Truth #3: Solar is good for farmers and the local economy.

Solar land leases can provide essential new revenue streams for local farmers that can enable them to keep working other parts of their land and avoid selling it for more destructive development alternatives. At the end of a solar farm’s useful life, it can be reverted to agricultural uses, and some solar farms are protected by conservation easements. Meanwhile, the solar farms bring hundreds of millions of dollars of investment into rural communities without using much of the roads and other local infrastructure. Solar farms offer a huge source of local tax revenue that can help to support public schools and other social services.

Truth #4: Solar panels do not release toxic chemicals.

Solar panels are well-sealed and do not release any toxic chemicals into the environment. While they may include small amounts of toxic chemicals, they are primarily made of silicon, like we commonly find in sand. We also review proposed solar farms to make sure we don’t have any concerns about potential wetland impacts or runoff.
Interested in more mythbusting with more of a focus on rooftop solar? Check out this resource from the U.S. Department of Energy!

What’s happening with solar policy in South Carolina right now?

In Clarendon County, an important vote is happening at the Clarendon County Council, and your engagement could help to tip the balance. The Council will have its second reading on Monday, August 12th, of a draft solar siting ordinance that would effectively prohibit large-scale solar developments.

There will be an opportunity for members of the public to make brief comments at the meeting. Can you make it? Please let the Council know you support solar! 

Clarendon County Council Meeting
Monday, August 12th at 6:00 PM
Clarendon County Administration Building
26 E. Boyce Street, Manning, SC 

WHY SOLAR?  

The Coastal Conservation League recognizes solar power’s pivotal role in equitably decarbonizing our grid and reducing air and water pollution in South Carolina. Through economies of scale, large solar farms offer low-cost electric generation that is crucial for providing enough reliable power to enable coal plant retirements and avoid risky investments in expensive, polluting gas-fired power plants and pipelines. 

Solar land leases provide income for farmers and landowners that can support local agriculture, help to avoid more destructive development alternatives, and protect wildlife habitats and rural cultural resources. In addition, solar farms contribute large tax revenues that can be used for local needs like public schools and infrastructure. Blocking solar developers also means blocking them from bringing millions of dollars in federal incentives to the local economy.  

THIS DOES NOT SUPPORT A PATH TO CLEAN ENERGY 

If passed by the Clarendon County Council, the draft ordinance would be the most restrictive in the state by far. Among other things, the draft ordinance would ban projects within five miles of Lake Marion or any tributaries that flow into it—that’s nearly the entire county! In addition, it would require projects to have a utility interconnection agreement before receiving a local site permit, which is not possible under state utility regulations. It would also require excessive 500-foot setbacks from adjoining properties, while nearby counties require no more than 200 feet. 

The Conservation League supports reasonable local solar siting ordinances, which ensure adequate protection for local communities and provide clarity to developers on the permitting process. However, the draft Clarendon County ordinance is far from reasonable and should be revised.  

In addition to speaking at the August 12 meeting, you can contact the County Council Chairman, Dwight L Stewart, Jr. at dstewart@dwightstewart.com or the County Council Vice-Chairman, William J. Frierson, Sr. at wjfrierson@yahoo.com. 

Please let us know if you have any questions and if you plan to take action on this important decision! Thank you for your support! 

Contact Us

action@scccl.org · 843.723.8035

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