Solar Arrays, widely known as solar farms do not belong in rural areas. Solar farms are a waste of money, they are visually unappealing, they can be dangerous to wildlife, and they are not a reliable source of energy. In fact, solar farms have been widely criticized for being one of the most expensive and least efficient forms of energy generation out there. 

Some farmers and elected officials, who bought large amounts of land in Nicholson Township, have lobbied Fayette County commissioners to allow solar farms in "A-1" zoned areas or Agricultural Rural. Originally, solar farms were only zoned "M-1" and "M-2" zones which are heavily industrial areas. On January 15, 2025, at 1:15 pm, the Fayette County zoning board will hold a public hearing in the Gallatin Building, 2 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA to hear the petition of Bollinger Solar, LLC, 55 North Water Street, Lititz, PA, Case ZHB 24-60. Fox Ridge Holdings, LLC, owned by Nicholson Township elected officials, is petitioning for a special exception and land development plan to construct a solar electric energy facility on property located at 192 Woodside Old Frame Road, Smithfield, PA, which contains 108.7 acres of land. 50,000 panels will be installed! 

Approximately 16 residential homes and surrounding farms will be affected by the proposed construction of solar infrastructures in our agriculture-zoned area. The project threatens to upset our natural balance and the tranquility of our lives. Solar arrays can potentially harm wildlife - our countryside teems with different animals that may not survive the intrusive development such as birds, rabbits and other small mammals. Additionally, more sophisticated installations such as those using heliostats can create a “snow globe effect” which involves reflecting light off mirrors back onto one area creating unnatural levels of light and heat which can disrupt ecological systems as well as bird migration patterns. 

In addition, such infrastructures could reduce the market value of our properties. Studies have indicated that spaces near utility scale solar operations experience a decrease in property values (Swinford, E., & Coupal, R. (2014)). Solar panels are a fire hazard! They can be damaged by heat or flames, which can then lead to fires. In addition, solar farms can generate electrical fires – something that is not only dangerous but also difficult to contain. Solar panels produce electricity through the conversion of sunlight into usable energy, but this process can also create sparks that could start small fires. In addition, damaged or malfunctioning wiring in solar panels is another common source of electrical fires. We've spent our lives nurturing our homes, it's not fair that we pay the price for a decision we did not partake in making. 

Lastly, the unbearable noise pollution from the construction and operation processes would destroy the peaceful atmosphere we relish. The incessant, mechanical hum conflicts with the quite hum of nature we love. Because most solar farms require large amounts of sunlight during certain hours (when it’s not raining), they generate lots of noise during those hours.. Not only does this bother people who live near them day-and-night but it’s also disruptive enough as it is during normal business hours.. Furthermore, high winds often whip around these structures making them howl like banshees at night.. Some people have even claimed that being next door to a large scale solar farm makes them sick!

We need to reconsider the potential destruction and impact that such solar operations would create within agriculture-zoned areas. There are alternative locations and methods that can be employed to harness solar energy without disrupting the peace and economy of rural communities.

Please, join us in urging the zoning board to deny the petition to develop a solar farm on our precious agricultural land and instead, look for sustainable and people-centered alternatives. Solar farms use up a lot of valuable land and kill animals in the process. They also generate very little power – sometimes as little as one-tenth of what is promised. In fact, solar farms have been shown to actually be a net drain on society, costing more money than they ever generate in profits. Sign the petition.