Planners approve Solar Panel Site

[HoosierHelen]

The following article sounds like a positive improvement to our community in many ways. I noticed on the KPC news site that one user had responded negatively with the belief that this project would be paid for by his tax dollars and he was against it for this reason. No where did I read anything that lead me to believe this would be funded at taxpayers expense?

I tried to imagine how the 5 neighbors who object to this could feel that it will cause their property values to decline. There will be no noise or reflection from the panels. There will be a 10 ft fence around them. The one possible hazard that I do wonder about is how will these panels stand up to high winds?




Planners endorse solar-panel site

BY BOB CULP bculp@kpcnews.net
Thursday, November 17, 2011, 1:00am
AUBURN — The DeKalb County Plan Commission voted Wednesday to favorably recommend rezoning 75 acres for use as a solar-energy farm operated by Gemini Power Solutions west of Waterloo.

The project, valued at $20 million to $30 million, would place about 25,000 solar panels on 35-40 acres of the 75-acre site on the southeast corner of C.R. 28 and C.R. 31, said Bob Adle, a representative for Gemini.

The commission recommended to the DeKalb County Commissioners that the land be rezoned from A2 Agricultural to Institutional. The county commissioners will vote on the rezoning Nov. 28.

Adle said the solar panels will feed into the NIPSCO power grid through existing power lines in the area.

The panels stand 5 to 6 feet off the ground, and the electrical inverters are about 7 feet tall, he said.

The panels will not give off noise, and the project will add no extra traffic, he said. Minimal lighting and concrete will be added to the area. A 10-foot-tall, chain-link fence surrounding the panels is required for security, he added.

Adle said the site is all that’s needed to generate the five-megawatt maximum energy limit NIPSCO will accept.

The panels will face south and create no glare, he said.

“They give off about as much glare as a cornfield,” Adle said. “(The panels) are made to absorb light, not reflect it.”

Clint Knauer, DeKalb County zoning administrator, said all 75 acres of land would be rezoned to Institutional to allow the greatest flexibility if the project is approved. The company could be required to have greater setbacks and other restrictions, depending on the possible development phase of the project.

Adle said Gemini would build nothing else on the land other than the solar-energy panels.

“We have one purpose for that land: to build solar panels,” he said, attempting to ease fears that other types of structures could be built on the unused land.

Approximately 20 property owners from the area surrounding the potential solar farm attended the meeting. About five spoke on the record in opposition to the project.

“I’m extremely concerned about my property value, considering what it’s already worth,” said Chris Toyias. “An 10-foot high chain-linked fence next to my property isn’t going to help it.”

Kent Sprunger, a real-estate appraiser associated with the project, said he’s been working in agricultural real estate for more than 40 years and he believes the solar farm would not affect neighboring properties any more than an agricultural facility.

“I wouldn’t think it would have any significant effect on property value,” Sprunger said.

Adle said Gemini would be a good neighbor to the property owners.

“Renewable energy has got to go somewhere, and this is a good site,” he said

[HoosierHelen]

I have a serious interest in this local DeKalb topic. Frankly, I was surprised no one responded to this postings with their thoughts either pro or con? I continue to support the alternate energy sources, I also believe we need to approach these with consideration to their impact on our local communities and look not only at the good, but also the negative sides. I suppose having acres of solar panels surrounded by a fence next to your rural property will not be as appealing as having acres of soybeans or corn fields? Should there be a compensation to the surrounding neighbors for making the trade between solar panels or agriculture fields? Maybe? I do still hold the question to whom ever may be informed as to the stability of these solar panels in high wind situations? Seems to me these are details that can be negotiated?

Today, I read the following article in the KPC News regarding the Wind Energy proposed projects in our area:


AUBURN — When DeKalb County began writing a wind energy ordinance last summer, DeKalb County Zoning Administrator Clint Knauer was trying get ready for what some say is inevitable.

“I don’t want a large wind farm company to come to my desk and us not to be prepared,” he said.

DeKalb County joins a growing group of counties preparing for wind energy companies that could reshape northeast Indiana’s rural skyline. Companies already have expressed interest in DeKalb, LaGrange and Noble counties by conducting private tests and meeting with farmers.

Steuben, LaGrange and DeKalb counties have developed wind energy ordinances, specifying details such as setback, height and construction requirements.

In 2008, Indiana ranked as the fastest-growing state in the nation for wind energy, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Sites in Benton and White counties in Indiana hold more than 600 windmills and nearby Van Wert County, Ohio, is home to about 150 windmills.

Windmills can vary in size. Turbines in Benton County have 10-foot-deep foundations that measure 60 feet across. Construction required 50 trucks of concrete and 35 tons of rebar per unit. Each of the Benton County windmills generates 1.65 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 470 households.
Skeptics say the terrain of the four-county northeast Indiana area is not flat enough to house large wind farms. That hasn’t stopped companies from exploring the area.

A Spain-based company, EOSOL America, constructed a test tower to measure wind velocity on DeKalb C.R. 4 near Ashley in November 2010. EOSOL has held private meetings to explain the benefits of wind turbines to a few rural landowners in DeKalb County. Its lease agreements call for 25 acres of land per windmill. The company offered landowners $5,000 per year, plus 2.5 percent of profits earned by the energy alternative.

Noble County planning director Steve Kirkpatrick said a wind company has been meeting with about 35 farmers in the county’s Allen and Jefferson townships and securing options on their land. An option would give the company access to the land if they decide to build in the area.

“That doesn’t guarantee anything, but it’s the company saying, ‘If we decide to come, you can’t agree to let any other wind company build on this land, and we’ll give you this amount of money,’” Kirkpatrick said.

Bob Shanahan, LaGrange County planning director, said a Fort Wayne-based wind energy company has started to conduct wind studies in southwest LaGrange County.

“We are anticipating becoming part of the system once it starts up,” he said.

Shanahan said the wind turbines would be placed in rural areas, with Topeka a possible site.

“(Wind turbines) become somewhat of an attraction for people who don’t see that kind of thing every day,” he said.

Steuben and LaGrange counties have had wind energy ordinances since 2009 and 2010, respectively.
DeKalb County held two public meetings to gather input and discuss wind energy issues. Farmers and concerned community members offered arguments for and against wind energy.

A 30-day public comment period on DeKalb’s ordinance ends Monday. The proposal then goes to the DeKalb County Plan Commission for its meeting Dec. 21.

Kirkpatrick said Noble County has not developed a wind energy ordinance yet. If a company expresses interest in an area surrounded by numerous homes, the county would treat it as a special exception and hold a meeting with affected property owners and ask the wind company to lay out its plans.

“To me, that seems to be the best way to handle these things,” Kirkpatrick said. He cited a situation in DeKalb County, Ill., when a family built a home in the country, only to have a wind farm company build wind turbines throughout the area.

“They have to deal with shadow flicker and other problems associated with wind turbines. We want to avoid that in Noble County,” Kirkpatrick said.

Steuben’s ordinance creates a wind overlay zoning district, outlining places where large, commercial wind farms could be built. Only areas zoned environmental control, agricultural or industrial can become overlay districts, and any company wishing to construct a wind farm must petition for a special exception.

The Steuben ordinance also calls for petitioners to submit an economic development plan and an emergency response plan.

Experts say it’s no long a question of “if” wind energy will come to northeast Indiana, but “when.”

“They are no more of a hindrance than electrical towers,” Shanahan said. “Eventually they become a part of everyday life once people get used to them. They are going to be beneficial to the area and to the farmers because of the financial benefit they agree to. It’s pretty good for everybody.”
A response comment from 11616 was as follows::

How about addressing negative health effects, loss of property values, visual blight, tax subsidies, inefficiencies, environmental impacts? Not a problem evidently.....



Again, I raise the question, what are the negative health effects, tax subsidies, inefficiencies, and environmental impacts you are concerned about with this alternate energy source? I do understand that property owners may find soy bean fields and corn fields to be preferable to solar panel fields or windmill fields, is this a detail that can be negotiated that might satisfy both the alternate energy providers and the surrounding property owners? Is that not the duty of the ordinance committees to negotiate? I sincerely hope citizens realize the power and profit to be had with positive negotiations rather than just saying...NOT IN MY BACKYARD.

[BigDeel]

I personally would not have a issue with the solar power near my home. I would have a problem with a wind farm in my area. HUGE eye sore. However if I received free electricity from a wind farm, my view of what is a eye sore could be bought
With the government going after coal fired power plants, we do need to look at every option we have.

QUOTE:I sincerely hope citizens realize the power and profit to be had with positive negotiations rather than just saying...NOT IN MY BACKYARD. end QUOTE.
That is easy to say when it's not your back yard.

[realist]

DeKalb county residents need to become informed on BOTH sides of this issue... After extensive research on wind energy, I have come to the conclusion that the negatives far outweigh the positives. In fact, I can find NO positives in this alternative energy. Indiana's wind resource is minimal at best. Also, population density is another aspect to consider. How can these wind farms be responsibly placed in our county that has such high density (116 people per square mile)? There are citizens groups all over the USA who are fighting an uphill battle against government programs which are subsidizing an industry that cannot stand alone. European countries are finding that wind power is not the answer. Wind power is inefficient, which will cause our electric rates to skyrocket. Utility companies are being forced to purchase this energy and will pass this expense directly to consumers. There are documented health issues related to the low frequency, infrasound waves of the wind turbine blades. Humans cannot hear low frequency, infrasound waves, but they do affect our bodies in many ways. Also, another negative is the impact on property values of neighbors who are not involved in leases. Who would want to buy a home on property with giant wind turbines in their backyards or even within sight? Before we jump on board this "green energy" miracle, PLEASE research. There is a wealth of information on the web.

[hairypumper]

Thirty years ago, when I was working in the solar energy industry, this area would not have even been considered for a solar installation. Photovoltaic technology has advanced exponentially since then. The new systems will convert energy, at a lower rate, on an overcast day. There are many questions to be answered. As I understand it, one of the concerns of affected property owners is the chain link fence to be put up around the site. I would much prefer a grain field to a chain link fence.

[Common-Tater]

There are a lot of options with chain link fencing these days. They can be made to look rather nice. And with proper upkeep they can stay looking nice. Unfortunately, DeKalb is not known for preventative maintenance. They tend not to repair things until they become eye sores.

[edeevee]

DeKalb county residents need to become informed on BOTH sides of this issue... After extensive research on wind energy, I have come to the conclusion that the negatives far outweigh the positives. In fact, I can find NO positives in this alternative energy. Indiana's wind resource is minimal at best. Also, population density is another aspect to consider. How can these wind farms be responsibly placed in our county that has such high density (116 people per square mile)? There are citizens groups all over the USA who are fighting an uphill battle against government programs which are subsidizing an industry that cannot stand alone. European countries are finding that wind power is not the answer. Wind power is inefficient, which will cause our electric rates to skyrocket. Utility companies are being forced to purchase this energy and will pass this expense directly to consumers. There are documented health issues related to the low frequency, infrasound waves of the wind turbine blades. Humans cannot hear low frequency, infrasound waves, but they do affect our bodies in many ways. Also, another negative is the impact on property values of neighbors who are not involved in leases. Who would want to buy a home on property with giant wind turbines in their backyards or even within sight? Before we jump on board this "green energy" miracle, PLEASE research. There is a wealth of information on the web.

Sources, please? Because nearly all of the negative info I've found regarding wind farms so far comes either from the Tea Party faction (who are spoon-fed talking points from their financial backers- the Koch brothers), the Koch brothers themselves or their close allies (like that guy in North Carolina), and a study that was commissioned by the Koch brothers. As the Koch's are heavily invested in traditional power sources (coal trading, oil pipelines and natural gas delivery systems) it is hard for me to trust their neutrality on the issue. I have only seen one legitimate study that was wholly critical of wind power and it spoke to the expense of keeping coal-fired power plants at the ready due to the intermittent nature of wind. About the biggest (true-seeming) claim I've seen is that wind power currently costs more than traditional power sources, but not that much more. And, when you factor in the hidden costs of federal risk insurance, cleaning up disasters, healthcare costs (a recent Harvard study pegged those at near $175 billion a year, just for coal) those "cheap" forms of energy cost a whole stinkin' lot more. And that's not even considering the permanent damage to our eco-system.

I'm all for an honest discussion on wind farms. I'd like to know the true negative impacts that we may be looking at if we expand this form of power. Let's keep it real though, k?

BTW, 116 people per square mile is not exactly dense as far as population goes. and, assuming no one is going to plop a turbine in the middle of a town, if you remove the population centers of DeKalb county and look at the area that is left, the population density falls to 39 people per square mile. By comparison, the density of Auburn is 1816 per sq mile.

[No Adventure Is Too Small]

Sources, please? Because nearly all of the negative info I've found regarding wind farms so far comes either from the Tea Party faction (who are spoon-fed talking points from their financial backers- the Koch brothers), the Koch brothers themselves or their close allies (like that guy in North Carolina), and a study that was commissioned by the Koch brothers. As the Koch's are heavily invested in traditional power sources (coal trading, oil pipelines and natural gas delivery systems) it is hard for me to trust their neutrality on the issue. I have only seen one legitimate study that was wholly critical of wind power and it spoke to the expense of keeping coal-fired power plants at the ready due to the intermittent nature of wind. About the biggest (true-seeming) claim I've seen is that wind power currently costs more than traditional power sources, but not that much more. And, when you factor in the hidden costs of federal risk insurance, cleaning up disasters, healthcare costs (a recent Harvard study pegged those at near $175 billion a year, just for coal) those "cheap" forms of energy cost a whole stinkin' lot more. And that's not even considering the permanent damage to our eco-system.

I'm all for an honest discussion on wind farms. I'd like to know the true negative impacts that we may be looking at if we expand this form of power. Let's keep it real though, k?

BTW, 116 people per square mile is not exactly dense as far as population goes. and, assuming no one is going to plop a turbine in the middle of a town, if you remove the population centers of DeKalb county and look at the area that is left, the population density falls to 39 people per square mile. By comparison, the density of Auburn is 1816 per sq mile.

I have no statistics pro or con on this issue, but what I can say is that as I drove
through Germany this past summer, there were hundreds if not thousands of wind turbine
fields. They stood there in what appeared to me to be very quiet operation, yes I was very
close physically to many of them, slowly churning out electricity in what appeared to be a very
eco friendly fashion. Another observation was the many buildings including many hotels and
factories that had either rooftop or small or large field of solar panels. One such factory that
we spoke to the owner of said that all of their elictrical needs are met by the solar panels plus
they get paid a check every month from the electric utility for the excess power created.
This is strictly my opinion, and in my opinion I have to say that both sources of green energy
looked rather interesting to me. I can not say that either source struck me as looking like an
eyesore. We did talk with people in Germany and they went through many of the same arguments
that are occuring here in the United States. They're unattractive, they ruin the landscape, they're
noisy, they are inefficient. While I can't say that I know the entire truth behind the overall argument.
I can tell you that Germany has substantial amounts of both solar and wind energy producers around
the country. One other thing that I did notice is their setbacks obviously are no where near what is
being proposed for around here, I remember one historic spot that we visited that you could literally
go just a few feet and be standing underneath three of the giant producers of electricity and I repeat
in my opinion they were not unattractive I felt quite the opposite and marveled at the site of them.
I would have no objection to having these huge structures nearby or in my backyard powering my house.
I may get a lot of flack for some of what I have stated here, but before you comment please keep in mind
I repeatedly stated these were my opinions and observations I did not research any factual data on the subject.

[realist]

Here are a few sources you can check out. nationalwindwatch.org - Click: Search- type in: wind turbine noise-audiology today-july/aug 2010, aweo.org - a problem with wind power, northgowerwindturbines.wordpress.com - wind turbines:"try living with one." There are lots of articles. This particular one was posted July 25, 2011. Google - community wind: once again pushing the envelope of project finance, nationalwindwatch.org - Click: Search -type in: true cost of electricity is always underestimated and its value always overestimated. This last web site is very interesting, has lots of info on different types of renewable energy, mn.forsustain.org:
Click: Search MFS - type windmill availability factor - A person could search for days on either end of the debate.

[LuciusBeebe]

This last web site is very interesting, has lots of info on different types of renewable energy, mn.forsustain.org

Might wanna try that link again...

[realist]

mistyped - It's mn-forsustain.org

[LuciusBeebe]

mistyped - It's mn-forsustain.org

Might wanna try that link again...

edit:

So I did your job for you...

http://www.mnforsustain.org/windpowe...s_guardian.htm

What a mess of a piece this is. Full of half-*** logical riddles that no reasonable person can be persuaded by. Take, for example:


Those who advocate wind "farms" base their arguments on three propositions:

1) that they produce energy without the problems associated with nuclear power - risk of accident, problems of waste storage;

2) that they do not deplete fossil fuels, which are finite;

3) that they produce energy without harmful emissions - C02, SO2 and Nitrogen Oxides, gases associated with global warming and acid rain.


For these arguments to be valid it is clear that wind "farms", if developed in sufficient numbers, must significantly reduce emissions, must close a nuclear power station or must measurably slow the depletion of other fuels which will soon be exhausted.



I mean... seriously? What reasonable person uses logic like that? That's like arguing that air bags don't save lives because there are cars out there without air bags.

What a load.

[edeevee]

Realist,

Thanks for providing the links to your sources. I spent some time looking at them today with mixed results.

As Lucius mentioned, that mn site was a mess, with difficulty finding and following the links, but I did eventually make it to a few of them. Unfortunately, most of the articles listed were either out of date - commenting on old technology that has been vastly improved since the 90's - or they were written by Glenn Schleede, former Senior VP of National Coal Association and past President of New England Energy -- which, once again, puts the neutrality of the information in question.

A search for National Windwatch brought up a few different sites. I wasn't sure which one you had looked at? The one by Eric Rosenbloom seems the most sincere, although he might benefit from finding a new webmaster. A lot of his links don't come up either. It looks like once upon a time he had a better tech guy, Jonathan Linowes, but they seem to have contentiously and litiguously parted ways. They still share a lot of the same resources though, as does Jonathan's wife, Lisa, who runs the industrial wind action group. A lot of those resources are questioned here: http://checksandbalancesproject.org/2011/08/12/lisa-linowes-and-the-disinformation-of-industrial-wind-action-group/ Notice how many connections to the Koch brothers again? BTW, I don't count the first criticism in the table, as its source seems equally biased pro-wind.

The Try Living With One blog didn't really help me at all. It was just some guy saying what he thought would happen IF the wind farm moved in across the street and conjecturing that because one might move in was the reason his friends hadn't been able to sell their home. I guess he'd never heard of the housing bubble?

The Audiology article was really interesting and certainly a credible source. It didn't quite go far enough to convince me that the problems people have with wind power are organic and not psychosomatic in nature. Especially when I read that the distance from a turbine mattered less than whether a person could see the turbine, and that those who held a negative view of wind power before the turbines were put in place tended to have a greater sensitivity to the effects. Added to that is just the difference in people and what they are used to and comfortable with. I know that when we first moved to this area I had trouble sleeping because it was too darn QUIET here. I had previously lived in a larger city, within two blocks either way of busy four lane streets.

Probably the most compelling evidence you pointed to was that video of the "flicker effect". That might drive me batty. Still, reading further showed me that the turbines only flicker at certain times of the year, for usually no more than 40 minutes at sunrise and sunset, when the light is "right" -- and that, for most people, planting trees strategically and using blinds until they mature solves the problem.

I do agree that careful planning should take place before wind farm sites are chosen. Set backs should be mandated that place the farms in areas that will cause the least disturbance to neighbors.

If you have further evidence to show that the detriments of wind power are greater than the benefits it may one day provide, I would be happy to take a look at them.