Centroplex News

Some residents oppose a 3,000-acre proposed Bell County solar farm project and while it has been approved for tax abatements by county commissioners, the Troy Independent School District Board of Trustees remains in discussions about the project.

The Troy ISD Board last week discussed how the Big Elm Solar project that could generate millions in revenue for the district, reported KDH News.

The board unanimously approved an agreement for consulting services to examine the appraised value limit of the project.

Matthew Killian, whose grandfather owns a farm near the site of the proposed solar farm, told Centroplex News that since it's private property, the owners have a right to do what they want with it. However, since tax abatements from Bell County and the Troy ISD are being proposed, all residents should have a say.

"It's a tricky thing because it's private property, but if they are asking for tax abatements they should give other residents a say if they need subsidies to become economically viable," Killian said. "Everyone should have a little bit of a say in all of it. If they are taking taxpayer dollars, then everyone should have a say in it."

Killian said he does not support the proposed solar farm as it's located on prime farm land.

"I think it's a poor use–it's productive farm land," said Killian. He indicated the land grows productive crops and said that use of the land "far outweighs solar panels." 

Killian said the solar panel farm could be relocated elsewhere, such as warehouses or parking lots. He added that he doesn't "necessarily believe in solar panels being efficient energy" sources.

When asked about the tax abatements, Killian said "it doesn't seem like it's creating a whole lot of jobs." 

He said the two permanent jobs that the solar project will create do not warrant tax abatements.

"A tax abatement doesn't make sense," said Killian.

Unlike other companies that have created numerous permanent jobs and received tax abatements, this project is not one of them, he said. 

Another concern for Killian, is that it appears to be "not long-term viable." He explained that solar panels depreciate rapidly each year. 

"They have not come back with answers for the longevity of them," he said.

"It seems like there is a lot of unknowns for the homeowners and the community," Killian said. "I don't think it will benefit the people living there."

He said it also may impact land values for those in close proximity to the solar panel farm. 

Another concern is "more energy companies may come in," said Killian.

“It’s a little premature for me to speak on behalf of the district ...but it is certainly no secret that there is a considerable amount of revenue that would be potentially made available to the district,” Superintendent Neil Jeter told KDH. “It remains to be seen how the board feels about hosting such an endeavor. (The project) created a challenging situation where the board will make a decision that will make someone happy and someone unhappy.”

The school district could receive approximately $23 million over a 10-year agreement, KDH reported.