Earlier, I sent a comment on the proposed Whitewater Solar Farm to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin:
I’ve wanted solar on my home for quite a few years, but the site and orientation are not ideal. The next best thing, it seems to me, is community solar, or some kind of public/private partnership, and I’ve been advocating for that nearly as long. But, since neither home or community solar seems likely, it looks like I’ll have to settle for the private corporate variety.
The climate crisis is terrifyingly real to anyone who really pays attention, and we humans face a desperate need to stop warming the planet. Solar power is one proven and effective way to cut back on human caused heat pollution.
Therefore, while the proposed Whitewater solar farm is not my ideal choice, I support it. I would just like to be reassured that the project will not extract value from the community for the benefit of a few and leave us residents and taxpayers with the negative externalities/costs.
Concerns I have include:
using American-made equipment, not Chinese,
making sure there is a sound, adequately funded end-of-project restoration and recycling plan (bond?)
making sure that inverter noise is inaudible at the nearest habitation,
using creative and sufficient landscaping and screening,
using a method of installation and operation that is beneficial to the land and the community.
This last point might include using the space between panels for things like berry farming (agro-voltaics), limited regenerative grazing, prairie establishment, and the like. The solar farm property could also be a welcoming place for the community with the possibility of a trail or two, a picnic space, and perhaps even a campsite.
I’ve seen the signs opposing the Whitewater solar installation, but in studying the issues I find that mostly they are just NIMBY. A carefully planned and executed solar farm can meet all concerns, and actually be of significant benefit to the community (and the planet).
