York News-Times Reprint
Written by Parker Garlough
The York County Board restarted its conversation regarding zoning of solar panel farms, this time with a new concern: batteries.
In order to store the power that solar panels generate — either to be transmitted to customers, in the case of commercial solar farms, or to store excess energy that can be saved for less sunny days, in the case of personal use — they use batteries. Multiple commissioners expressed concern regarding the effects of battery usage.
The issue was first voiced by Gene Zacks, a Hays Township resident and representative of Our Voices Count, during public comment.
“Batteries are cooled by groundwater,” he said. “Batteries make noise that should be included in the zoning.”
Like any other battery, solar panel batteries need to be kept below a certain temperature in order to avoid internal damage. One popular cooling method uses water; other options include air conditioning units and insulation.
Commissioner Bowman shared Zacks’ concerns and remarked that at other solar farms across the nation, battery explosions had occurred.
“Battery storage is something that hasn’t been addressed whatsoever,” he admitted. “We have zero information on it.”
Because none of the commissioners were highly knowledgeable about batteries, County Chair Randy Obermier said, they should contact someone who is knowledgeable about recent research regarding that issue. No specific experts were suggested.
The commissioners also discussed the ongoing (issue) of land usage for solar farms.
“In my opinion, York County farm ground is not the place for solar,” Commissioner Daniel Grotz said. “But we have to reconcile that with the right of a property owner to do what they want to with land that they own.”
Commissioner LeRoy Ott was similarly wary.
“We need to be very careful about how much we let be in the county … we don’t want it on wetlands, and we don’t want it on prime farm ground,” Ott said. “We heard that when we went to all the meetings (with York County residents about the proposed solar panel farm.)”
Cale Giese, development manager for the Omaha Public Power District, expressed confidence the land usage would pay off financially.
“The nameplate capacity tax alone from our project would generate over $1 million annually, including $200,000 in unrestricted revenue for the county’s general fund,” Giese said. “On top of that, 20 participating landowners would receive steady land-lease payments, helping to fuel long-term growth in York County’s ag economy.”
The solar panel conversation has been contentious among both commissioners and residents for a long time, and it shows no signs of getting easier.
“This is probably going to be one of the toughest decisions we’ve had to make, maybe the whole time I’ve been here,” Obermier said.
Other meeting items
- After the deadline for department heads and officials to submit revised budget proposals with an increase of 3% or less passed on Aug 1, the board reviewed the new proposals. Many of them did not meet the 3% cap the commissioners had asked them to strive for.
- The board postponed action on the bidding process for the jail’s fire sprinkler system to enable further discussion with Mahoney Fire Sprinkler, who is currently the only bidder.
- Fran Reinert was reappointed to the Aging Services Areawide Council.
