Possible solar panel farm still causing controversy in Dougherty

Dougherty County residents will have to wait at least one more week before commissioners make their decision on a possible solar panel farm. 

The farm has been the source of controversy among residents and commissioners the past few weeks. 

Dougherty County commissioners were going to vote on whether or not to approve the construction of the farm at the corner of Moultrie and Spring Flats Road at Monday’s meeting.

But, with residents still upset about the panels and with some commissioners who still have questions, they decided to hold off on the vote until next week. Then, they will bring in a third-party specialist to explain the pros and cons of a solar panel facility in the county.  

“I think we can also get information from UGA showing what the statistics are. I mean I can’t promise you the suit I’m wearing ain’t going to cause any cancer later on,” said Dougherty County Commission Chairman Chris Cohilas. 

Some county commissioners are still hesitant when it comes to approving the construction of the farm. NextEra Energy is the company working to build the solar panels at the corner of Moultrie and Spring Flats Road. Stephen Land, the project manager, told commissioners on Monday that the panels will bring a substantial tax investment to the county.

“Over the 30-year life of this project, this will add $10 million to tax revenues in this county,” said Land. 

Land also told commissioners the farm would create 300 construction jobs. 

“Seventy-percent of those will be sourced locally. You know, obviously, retail sales will pick up. They’ll have to stay at local hotels, they’ll have to eat. So local business will pick up as well,” Land said.

Still, residents aren’t convinced the solar panels are right for the county. Residents told commissioners they’re worried it will be an eyesore, bringing down their property values. They said they’re also worried about the effects it will have on the surrounding farms and environments.

“Based on that, I am opposed,” said one concerned resident. 

But Tracy Bridges, the landowner, said research hasn’t shown solar panels to have any negative environmental effects. He said this is especially true when compared to negative effects farming can have on the land. 

“What we do have in Dougherty County is land that can be used in a large solar project, transitioning our land from an energy consumer to an energy producer,” said Bridges.  

Commissioners said they will vote whether or not to approve the solar panel farm at next Monday’s meeting.

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