A bill to prevent large commercial solar operations from
setting up shop in residential neighborhoods is moving ahead at the Hawaii state
Legislature.
The measure by Naalehu Rep. Richard Creagan advanced to the
House Committee on Agriculture with amendments this week. Some testimony
focused on the downsides of restricting solar energy development in a time when
green power sources are needed more than ever. But other testimony highlighted
the need to protect residential areas from commercial solar projects that could
damage ambiance and property values.
House Bill 2636 would put a 25-kilowatt cap on solar
generation projects located on land that is zoned agricultural but also serves
as a residential area. Creagan introduced the bill in response to outcry from
residents of Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos, who oppose a plan by SPI Solar to
place 30,000 solar panels on 26 lots in and around that subdivision.
The solar farm is allowed outright on agricultural land
under state law designed to foster alternative energy. However, that
agricultural designation includes several large subdivisions in Ka‘u and Puna,
potentially places homes and vast expanses of panels at odds with each other.
Under modifications to the bill, its provisions would apply
only to the Big Island and larger solar projects could still be allowed, but
only with a special permit from the county.
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