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Solar proposal near Milton draws concerns from nearby therapeutic riding center

Brandon Ferguson
Brandon Ferguson
Broadcast Journalist

Brandon started at CoastTV News in June 2024, anchoring the weekend newscasts for more than a year and reporting on stories in Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Bethany Beach, Ocean View and Sussex County Council.

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May 28, 2026
May 28, 2026 Updated 12 hrs ago

Solar proposed for farmland — Since the hearing, both sides say talks have moved in a positive direction. The riding center said its requests are being accommodated, including more buffering, additional evergreen trees, a solid fence and moving some equipment farther away from the facility.

Since the hearing, both sides say talks have moved in a positive direction. The riding center said its requests are being accommodated, including more buffering, additional evergreen trees, a solid fence and moving some equipment farther away from the facility.

MILTON, Del. - Plans for a proposed solar project near Milton remain pending after concerns were raised about its location next to a therapeutic horseback riding center.

The project is proposed for Harbeson Road next to Southern Delaware Therapeutic and Recreational Horseback Riding. A site plan submitted for the project shows a community solar energy system on a roughly 30.5-acre conditional use area.

Solar documents — The project is proposed for Harbeson Road next to Southern Delaware Therapeutic and Recreational Horseback Riding. A site plan submitted for the project shows a community solar energy system on a roughly 30.5-acre conditional use area.(Sussex county documents)

The project is proposed for Harbeson Road next to Southern Delaware Therapeutic and Recreational Horseback Riding. A site plan submitted for the project shows a community solar energy system on a roughly 30.5-acre conditional use area.(Sussex county documents)

Out of that roughly 30.5-acre area, the site plan shows about 13.5 acres would be used as the proposed solar lease area. No decision was made after a May 20 Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing on whether to approve the conditional use needed for the project.

Southern Delaware Therapeutic and Recreational Horseback Riding raised concerns with the initial proposal, saying the solar panels would be too close to its horses and facility. The center also noted that its participants include people who are medically and physically vulnerable, making safety a major concern.

Property Line — Out of that roughly 30.5-acre area, the site plan shows about 13.5 acres would be used as the proposed solar lease area. No decision was made after a May 20 Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing on whether to approve the conditional use needed for the project.

Out of that roughly 30.5-acre area, the site plan shows about 13.5 acres would be used as the proposed solar lease area. No decision was made after a May 20 Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing on whether to approve the conditional use needed for the project.

The riding center said it is not opposed to the project, but wants to make sure its participants and horses are protected.

Since the hearing, both sides say talks have moved in a positive direction. The riding center said its requests are being accommodated, including more buffering, additional evergreen trees, a solid fence and moving some equipment farther away from the facility.

The property owner said the land was bought several years ago as an investment and that solar appears to be a quiet, environmentally friendly use for the property. The owner also said only part of the property would be used for the project, while the rest would remain unchanged for now.

Both the property owner and the riding center said they want to find a solution that works for everyone.

Brandon Ferguson

Broadcast Journalist

Brandon started at CoastTV News in June 2024, anchoring the weekend newscasts for more than a year and reporting on stories in Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Bethany Beach, Ocean View and Sussex County Council.