The Surry County planning commission has rejected the 150-MW Loblolly Solar project as being in conflict with the county’s comprehensive plan. The project would clear-cut 900 acres of forested land at the intersection of Routes 10 and 40 to install over 500,000 solar panels. The project has been in development by Hexagon Energy for well over two years.
Read more here:
Surry planners again reject Spring Grove solar farm, The Smithfield Times, 30 Mar 2022
Key points from the article:
- The project would clear 900 acres of timbered land.
- It is two miles away from the power grid, meaning additional land and easements would be needed just to connect it.
- The community is opposed to the project.