MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Local residents packed into the Kick Back Ranch Event Center in Ramer, anxiously awaiting their chance to speak directly to the company that’s responsible for a potential solar farm development in south Montgomery County.
Grady Price owns property next to the proposed site, which he’s owned since the 1970s. He said he was alarmed when he saw the map of the project for the first time at the meeting because, as it stands now, there would only be a 25-foot buffer zone from his property to the project.
“I’ll have to be staring at these solar panels everywhere I go on my property,” Grady said.
He raised the concerns to the company’s representative, who claimed they’re willing to work towards a solution. The representative also stressed the power generated will go to Alabama Power and generate thousands of dollar per year for Montgomery County.
The representative told the crowd, “During the first 10 years, this project will pay more than $500,000 a year to the county,” while also emphasizing that “there is no phase two. There was never a phase two. We don’t know where that came from. But this is our only planned project.”
The company, Global Enfinity, also tried to ease environmental concerns. They said they will plant native grasses and flowers in the area to be compatible with the local ecosystem and grow under panels, hopefully preventing runoff.
They’re also hoping to work with local sheep farmers to potentially allow sheep to grave in the area of the project.
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