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A Philadelphia-based company has proposed to construct two solar farms in Antis Township.
The supervisors at a recent meeting approved soil-quality waivers for the projects, clearing an obstacle for the developments.
Penn Renewables wants to build a 13-acre solar farm on a 70-acre tract near Frito Lane, which runs between East Pleasant Valley Boulevard and Sandbank Road in the Bellmeade area; and a six-acre solar farm on 38 acres south of Grazierville, east of the mainline tracks, according to township Manager Doug Brown.
The soil quality on the properties is just a bit better than the standard below which a waiver wouldn't have been necessary, Brown said.
The standard is designed to preserve agricultural land.
The company has proposed to plant native meadow species among the metal racks that would hold the solar panels to improve soil quality, Brown said.
The proposed farms would not seriously impact residential areas, Brown said, adding that both sites make sense for solar development.
The township planning commission previously recommended that the supervisors approve the waivers, according to Brown.
He said the company wanted to secure the waivers before investing in design and engineering.
The developers will need a fire emergency plan, although the project would not create a fire hazard, according to Brown.
The panels would degrade at the rate of 1% to 2% a year, making them viable for 25 to 30 years, Brown said.
The township would require a bond to ensure proper decommissioning, said the township's consulting engineer, Chris Dutrow of Stiffler, McGraw & Associates.
The project would add to the township's tax base, said Supervisors' Chairman Steve Winterstein.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.
