SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - Sussex County Council conducted seven separate public hearings Tuesday afternoon to discuss proposed solar farms. The sites under consideration span from east to west Sussex County, and each one seeks conditional use of the property.
All seven solar farms are part of proposals put forth by Con-Ed, one of the largest energy companies in the U.S. These solar farms, varying in size, aim to provide solar energy to businesses and homes that cannot install panels on their roofs.
Exact locations are as follows:
- South of Kendale Road in Lewes
- Lewes-Georgetown Highway in Harbeson
- Near Old Sailor Road and Woodland Ferry Road near Laurel
- South Main Street in Bridgeville
- West Line Road in Delmar
- Cast Rite Drive in Delmar
- Old Crow Road in Delmar
Sheree Hammerer lives on Bi-State Boulevard and raised concerns about land use and potential health effects during today's meeting.
"Solar panels only capture 20 percent of light for about five hours a day," Hammerer says. "The rest of the solar energy is going to pass through the ground as a result, the grasses broad leaf weeds eventually wooly shrubs are going to grow."
Hammerer also stated that those living in close proximity to a solar farm may experience prolonged exposure to an increased risk of cancer and other potential effects on the nervous system. She also worries that the land may face challenges in being converted back to farmland in the future if the solar farms are built.
The council must now decide whether to grant the conditional use applications, allowing for the construction of these solar farms. The council voted to defer a decision on all of these proposals to a later date.Â