The Orange County Board of Commissioners is moving forward with a plan that will allow a solar farm to be built on a 52-acre patch of land off of Highway 70 West.

The plan was made by solar energy companies Calvert Energy and ESA Renewables. Calvert Energy CEO Brian Quinlan presented the plan to the board Monday night. Quinlan says the companies need approval of a special permit to allow for the zoning of the solar panels.

“It’s been reviewed fairly extensively by both the clearing house at the state level with a variety of different departments here at the county level.”

Quinlan also says the 52-acres of land are the perfect type to develop this type of solar project.

“The site is surrounded by a lot of wetlands and water features, which makes it a difficult development from a higher-intensity perspective. But for lower intensity development, like a solar project, it works very well.”

But even though the land is good for the solar panels, Commissioner Barry Jacobs asked at the hearing whether the solar panels would be bad for animals already living on the land.

Chris Sandifer is an engineering consultant for solar farm siting. He attended the hearing to answer questions and provide testimony. He says nothing would be harmed.

“No sir. I’m not aware of any study that shows that it causes wildlife a problem.”

Sandifer also says the panels won’t harm people either.

“There’s no smell; there’s no dust; there’s no radiation; these panels use no nuclear radiation.”

Quinlan says the point of the solar farm is to do good and not bad to all who live in Orange County.

“Solar projects are safe for the community. They develop their power at a low-voltage level. All of the wiring and components are underwriter laboratory approved, the design is approved by the county, we have to get a construction permit to make sure that we’re meeting all the local codes.”

If approved, nce the design and construction process are started, the plan is expected to take about six months to install once the design and construction process has started.

Related Stories
‹
José Hidalgo Named Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year
José Hidalgo, a seventh-grade science teacher at A.L. Stanback Middle School in Hillsborough, was named the Orange County Schools Teacher of the Year Friday afternoon. Hidalgo was chosen from among 13 teachers who were named Teachers of the Year at their respective schools. “Hidalgo’s selflessness, dedication to his work, and ability to form strong relationships […]
Orange County: School Board Requests and Federal Funding Cuts
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, April 30. She discussed the business of this week's Board of Commissioners meeting, which also included the boards of education from Orange County School and Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. The school boards submitted budget requests for the upcoming year, and all three boards heard a presentation on the impact of federal spending cuts, and more.
Orange County: Capital Plan, Budget, Property Revaluation Outreach
Orange County Commissioner Sally Greene spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, April 23, discussing county news and events. She talked about the commissioners' recent work session in which they hear from County Manager Travis Myron on the 10-year capital  budget.
Easter Weekend to Affect Local Government Services in Orange County
The upcoming Easter weekend starting Friday April 18 will affect several local government services around the community.
Orange County Approves Purchase of Hillsborough Site for Future Crisis Diversion Facility
The Orange County Board of Commissioners recently approved a land purchase for a future Crisis Diversion Facility. 
Orange County: The Site of the Future Crisis Diversion Facility + Discussing Tax Rates and Revaluation
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell over the phone on Wednesday, April 16.
Orange County Preps for Revenue-Neutral Property Tax Rate Discussion; Board Chair Shares Threshold to Watch for Property Value
The Orange County Board of Commissioners will discuss the county's updated revenue-neutral property tax rate at its meeting on Tuesday, with the board chair revealing the threshold for how much property owners will see increases.
Orange County: Land Use Plans, Soccer Complex, Revenue-Neutral Tax Rate
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, April 9, discussing county news and events. She talked about the commissioners Land Use Plan, which they will continue discussion of in September. She also talked about a 34 acre soccer complex in western Orange County and how that fits into the budget going forward. She talked about the county's recent property revaluation, revealing the revenue-neutral tax rate for the county, and more.
Conversations We Need To Have: Orange County Equity and Inclusion Officer Paul Slack
Orange County's Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Paul Slack spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Monday April 7. He discussed the current work of his office, which includes a successful event for Women's History Month in March. He also talked about some upcoming events. They also talked about how they came to support the work of social justice and equity for underrepresented groups, and more.
Orange County: Transportation Priorities, Capital Improvement 10 Year Plan
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, April 2, discussing county news and events. She discussed the recent meeting of the county board of commissioners, which included decisions about transportation priorities for the county, a presentation on the county's 10-year Capital Improvement Plan, and more.
›