Neighbors in Derry Township are hoping the township supervisors won’t grant a permit for a proposed solar array on property in a rural neighborhood near New Alexandria.

Hallie Newhouse-Ramer, who has started an online petition opposing the solar project on Newhouse Road, has expressed concern about its potential impact on wildlife, the environment and on nearby Loyalhanna Creek.

She also believes it will negatively affect her property and her enjoyment of it since she lives next to the proposed 60-acre site of the array.

Newhouse-Ramer and another adjacent neighbor, Ashly Miller, were among about 50 people who attended the supervisors’ Tuesday hearing concerning the solar array. The majority of attendees indicated they oppose the project.

Miller, who decided to relocate to the township three years ago, said, “My family and I did not move here to witness solar panel farms take over the countryside or farmland. Especially so close to our home, in our backyard.

“We moved here for the community, a slower pace of life and a connection to the land and the natural environment. … This will drastically change the image and the identity of Derry. In my opinion, not for the good.”

Other residents said they’re concerned materials in the solar panels could release harmful substances into the soil and groundwater —possibly hindering future resumption of farming at the site and affecting the water supplies of area homeowners who rely on private wells.

Several attendees said they’re worried about the array’s potential effect on the health of their children and future generations.

Carrie Cosentino, project developer for New York-based CVE North America, the company that wants to construct and operate the array, said the solar panels contain some lead, but the material is encapsulated and should not be released into the environment.

She said CVE has a lease on the site, where it expects the array will operate for about 35 years, generating 4.5 megawatts of electricity per year for sale to local utility First Energy.

She said it should take about six months to build the 11,000-panel array and an access road, with five construction trucks arriving at the site each day. A 27-acre section of the property would be involved, she said.

Materials from the array could be recycled once it is decommissioned and removed from the property, according to Cosentino.

She said evergreens are among plants that would be added to create a 15-foot-wide buffer around the array. The array must be set back by at least 100 feet from surrounding property lines, according to township regulations.

Some residents disputed Cosentino’s contention that there will be sufficient space to place the array on the property without having to cut down any existing trees.

Township resident Jerry Shugars said the company should test water from local residents’ wells to make sure it isn’t affected by the solar project.

Cosentino replied that she’d never been asked to perform such testing with previous solar projects she’s overseen.

Water well testing isn’t among the requirements in an ordinance the township supervisors adopted in spring 2024, to establish guidelines and a permit process for potential solar farm development.

Lacking a zoning ordinance with more restrictive possibilities, Solicitor Sam Dalfonso said the township had to select provisions in its solar farm ordinance that still would be legally defensible. He said the ordinance likely will be subject to repeated review, depending on changing situations and potential state legislation governing solar farms.

Newhouse-Ramer told TribLive strip mining occurred on the Newhouse Road property early in the 20th century — activity which she says has resulted in underground voids and sinkholes.

“The subsurface is known to be voided and unstable in places,” she said, arguing that a geotechnical review is needed before a permit is issued for any construction or use of heavy vehicles at the site.

Brian Leonhard, land manager for CVE, said the company has taken into account the property’s mining history.

Resident Melissa Kaufman suggested the supervisors look into contracting a geologist to independently review the matter.

Residents expressed skepticism when Cosentino cited a 2018 study of 956 solar sites in 23 states, indicating that there was minimal to no impact on surrounding property values.

Newhouse-Ramer said that wouldn’t be the case with her home being situated next to a solar farm.

“The industrial character at the lot line jeopardizes our ability to improve the property or sell without a stigma tied to noise, views and perceived risk,” she said.

Chairman Jim Prohaska said the supervisors will take into account the residents’ concerns before voting whether to award CVE a permit for the solar site. They have up to 45 days to do so.

Jennifer Bihon, whose home overlooks the site of the proposed array, voiced frustration.

“I’ve heard nothing tonight that put me at ease,” she said. “Actually, it’s elevated everything.”

CVE also is proposing to develop a 13-acre solar farm of 8,700 panels at the site of a reclaimed former stone quarry near soccer fields off Bethel Church Road in Unity.

That project has passed an initial hurdle: approval of a needed special exception by that township’s zoning hearing board.

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