- April 25, 2024
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A plot of farmland in northwestern Flagler County may soon be covered with thousands of solar panels.
The Flagler County Planning and Land Development Board on Sept. 14 unanimously approved a special exception application by FPL's sister company, Florida Renewable Partners, to convert 155 acres of potato farms and timber land into a solar energy site.
The land is part of an FRP property that straddles the Flagler-Putnam County line, with the bulk of the land in Putnam.
The entire site would be 550 acres and provide approximately enough energy to power 20,000 homes, FRP Senior Project Manger Erico Lopez told planning board members at the meeting.
It would have approximately 261,000 panels, which would be installed on a metal rack system and pivot to track the sun.
The site would be largely unmanned, except for the occasional maintenance crew and some goats brought in now and then to trim the grass.
“We believe solar energy centers make great neighbors," Lopez said.
The solar sites are virtually silent and don't use up water, he said. Because they require no regular on-site staff, they generate little traffic.
“These sites currently are a potato farm and timberland, so essentially all that traffic from all these semis coming down to pick up the potatoes will no longer be there," he said. "So the dust effects for the surrounding neighbors will no longer be there, and ... this site will be quiet for the next 25-30 years."
FRP hopes to begin the installation process in early 2022. It would take about six to nine months to set up, and be operational for 25 to 30 years, Lopez said.
“For us, this really is a good business partner coming into the county, with their environmental hat on, doing the right thing," said Greg Blose, president and CEO of the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce. " ... I think this vote’s really important. I think we need to send a message to FPL, but also others that are watching to let them know we’re open for business for innovative projects.”
The proposal will next go before the Flagler County Commission for final approval.
