Kiski Township looking to establish rules for solar farms

Kiski Township isn’t sure how it wants to approach possible solar farms.

But officials know they want to do something.

The township’s planning commission is scheduled to continue a discussion on possibly amending the township’s zoning ordinance, or even creating a new solar ordinance, to add definitions and verbiage regarding commercial solar panel systems.

The systems — commonly known as solar farms — consist of vast rows of solar panels that absorb energy from the sun, convert it into electricity and send it to the power grid for distribution.

Solar farm panels usually are mounted a few feet off the ground and spread out for acres, rather than being placed on rooftops.

Planning Commission Chairman Doug Sproat said possible ordinance changes are still being discussed. A township planning commission meeting, which only serves in an advisory role for the township supervisors, is scheduled for Thursday, April 11.

“We’re currently in the earliest stages of this,” Sproat said.

While there have been no solar farms proposed in the township, residents with farmland have reported being approached by solar companies for the possibility, Sproat said.

“I think the biggest concern residents have is changing (agricultural-use) land to industrial-use land and how that affects surrounding properties,” Sproat said.

“We’re bringing this to our supervisors’ attention and figure out what would work in our area — and work with our solicitor.”

The planning commission had a workshop meeting last week to discuss commercial solar farms, Sproat said.

Common concerns he has heard from residents include the visual impact of solar farms, property line setbacks, environmental impacts for wildlife, stormwater runoff and how solar farms impact property values, Sproat said.

“There’s a lot that has to be put together in this document,” he said. “It’s something new in the area, and we’re listening to our residents to see how this is going to work out for everyone.”

David Sanko, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, said his organization has a few “model ordinances” regarding solar farms available for municipalities to review.

“Without putting a pro or con position on solar, it comes down to a local decision,” he said.

Sanko said the association recommends townships have a “decommissioning plan” for when the panels go out of service years down the line.

Ultimately, he said, municipalities have to determine what’s best for them and have open, transparent communications with constituents.

“It’s not anything different than they’d do with any other land use (decision),” Sanko said.