The town of Woodland, North Carolina, has rejected plans for a solar farm, with some residents fearing that they would soak up the sun and prevent plants from growing.
According to a local newspaper, town council rejected a proposal to rezone a particular area from manufacturing to residential/agricultural, which nixed plans by Strata Solar Company to construct a solar farm on the land.
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While some of the reasons cited may have appeared legitimate — such as concern over property values — others may leave people scratching their heads.
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One town resident — a teacher — said she was concerned that the solar panels would prevent plants from achieving photosynthesis, citing that she’s seen plants around other solar panels that were browning.
She was also concerned about what she felt were a high number of cancer rates in the area and said that nobody could tell her it wasn’t due to the solar panels.
Another resident felt that solar farms would likely cause the demise of communities.
“You’re killing your town,” he said. “All the young people are going to move out.”
He also went on to say that the solar farms would suck up all the energy from the sun and that it would deter businesses from settling in the town.
By the end of the meeting the council voted on a moratorium on the building of future solar farms.
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