Solar energy facility gains OK in Howell

The Howell Zoning Board of Adjustment has unanimously approved preliminary and final site plans for a 17- megawatt solar energy facility to be constructed at the southwest corner of the intersection of Route 33 and Fairfield Road.

Rock Solid Realty, the applicant, was granted a use variance for the 100-acre site. A use variance was required because a solar energy facility is not a permitted used at the location, which is zoned for commercial and residential development.

In accordance with state law, the applicant vacated its original approvals for the site before the board members voted on the solar farm at a special meeting held Sept. 19.

Attorney Kenneth Pape, representing the applicant, said economics led to the decision to pursue a solar facility (also known as a solar farm) over a mixed use. Pape said there is no construction date scheduled.

The board’s vote for approval came after two hours of testimony from planning, solar energy and engineering experts regarding visual buffers, security, environmental impact and other factors.

David Sirna, vice chairman, said the new use would be less intense than the original plan for the site and he said solar energy is a superior use.

“This is an application where there are very minimal, if any, impacts,” Sirna said.

Board members John Armata and Stephen Meier agreed with Sirna’s comments regarding the application.

“(Solar energy) is the wave of the future and I think that as these (solar) panels come on board, we are going to see them all over the place,” Armata said.

“I’m a big fan of solar power to begin with,” Meier said. “I think they are doing everything they can to accommodate (the neighboring area) with the (visual) buffering. ”

Board member Thomas O’Donnell asked that signs be posted at the site to deter trespassing and hunting.

The sitewill feature a 6-foot tall chain link fence behind vegetative buffering. The fence will rise to 24 feet at the road access point on Fairfield Road.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Evelyn O’Donnell, who serves on the Howell Planning Board, raised concerns about drainage in light of recent flooding cause by Hurricane Irene.

In regard to her concerns, Jack Mallon, the board’s engineer, said the applicant “pretty much traps everything (water) on site.”

Board member Wendell Nanson cited recent media reports of economic troubles with solar energy companies and asked what would happen if solar panel manufacturers or the applicant faced financial trouble. one transformer for the conversion of solar energy to electricity. Additional site elements will include an 8-foot tall chain link fence around the solar panels/operation, electrical conduits between the panels, a landscaping berm along Ely Harmony Road and additional landscaping and buffers around the site.

Solar energy facilities are not a permitted use in Freehold Township’s Rural Environmental Zone and the applicant was required to apply to the zoning board for a D-1 use variance. The use variance and several minor variances were granted.

According to EffiSolar Energy Corporation’s website, “Solar farms (utility-scale ground-mounted photovoltaic power generating facilities) consist of large arrays of solar PV panels that capture energy from sunlight and convert it to electricity for the local power grid. A 10MW solar farm generally consists of 50 to 70 acres of land upon which PV panels are mounted on racks in flat, unobstructed locations that possess strong solar resources and good soil for foundations.

“EffiSolar’s vertical integration from designing and manufacturing of PV panels, solar inverters, solar trackers to installation and operation of solar farms, allows us to offer turnkey solar farm projects that significantly reduce greenhouse gases emissions at a low cost.”

According to Galvin, the use of a solar energy facility is seen as inherently beneficial to society. The attorney said he believes more of these facilities will be seen going forward. Galvin said the state has created legislation regarding what it says is the inherently beneficial use of solar energy.

The applicable statute says, “Inherently beneficial use means a use which is universally considered of value to the community because it fundamentally serves the public good and promotes the general welfare. Such a use includes, but is not limited to a hospital, school, child care center, group home or a wind solar or photovoltaic energy facility or structure.”