Solar panels not a contamination risk

Hydrogeologist reports to county commissioners on groundwater

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The proposed solar farm on Howard County’s east side has butted up against opposition almost from the moment it was announced. One of the arguments used by the remonstrating property owners near the proposed farm is that the solar panels pose a contamination risk for the groundwater in the area.

On Oct. 16, the Howard County Board of Commissioners heard from Rob Wilhelm, a hydrogeologist with Tetra Tech who was commissioned by solar farm developer ENGIE to study the groundwater issue. The scientist dismissed concerns about contamination.

“They're basically silicon; they’re glass,” said Wilhelm of the solar panels. “It's basically an inert material. Think of it like your windshield in your car. There are no liquids. There are no semi-liquids within these panels. They're basically encapsulated, and they're built to be in the environment; to withstand the environment.”

Wilhelm explained that his company also studied the soil and the hydrogeologic setting of the region potentially affected by the solar farm. He contended the soil that would host the solar farm would not release contaminants quickly or easily into the groundwater, if such contamination were possible.

“We're in a glacial till plane,” said Wilhelm. “It’s essentially a conglomeration of silts, sands, clays, cobbles, boulders, and it's very densely packed. That's why you've got such good fields here. Because that upper surface, as it gets organic material in it, it stays there in that upper surface, for a good couple feet of topsoil that's great for growing.

“Those same qualities also keep moisture. Silt and clay want to hold water. For (contaminants) to get deep here, down into what would be usable groundwater system, is very difficult. Your hydrogeologic setting is really ideal, even in the implausible event of contamination.”

Commissioner Jack Dodd expressed concerns about how the soils in the proposed area handle runoff and how quickly that water might get into the groundwater system. He also asked about the filtration qualities of the soil.

“The soil is going to retain the water, as opposed to filtering it,” said Wilhelm.  “Groundwater here, probably on average moves less than a foot a day. It’s a very slow-moving groundwater system. These soils, their affinity is to actually hold contaminants. Particularly, they want to hold organic contaminants. That's why your soils are so rich for growing, because anything organic gets retained by the silts and clays, and then over time makes a nice base for growth. It has very limited migration potential is within hydrogeologic terms.”

Tom Schoder, project manager for ENGIE, also addressed the commissioners and expressed his company’s commitment to limit runoff from the solar farm during construction. He also said ENGIE is willing to provide well testing for the surrounding residents.

“We'll have a in depth stormwater prevention plan during construction,” said Schoder. “And we'll also work very closely with the surveyor’s department on a drainage plan. There'll be plenty of steps taken during construction to limit any runoff.

“We also will offer well testing to neighboring properties, pre-construction and post, and to that same group of people we will also offer an additional test after operations begin as well. If any issues come up, obviously we will deal with those. We don't expect any issues, but I think it'd be good for those who are interested to establish that baseline of what someone's well looks like in the first place.”

The proposed ENGIE solar farm has been a point of contention from the start. A group of homeowners near the proposed site are fighting against it after the Howard County Board of Zoning Appeals granted a special exception permit for the farm to be developed.

The project had failed twice before to gain the permit, including a contentious hearing in July 2022 during which a zoning board member disclosed a personal bias against the project. ENGIE sought relief from the courts following that denial, but became eligible to apply again before the case was heard.

In January, the Howard County Board of Commissioners replaced the zoning appeals board member with the stated conflict. The change in board composition also meant a change in the outcome of the zoning appeal.

The permit was granted in February, but the residents filed a legal appeal against the decision in April. Perhaps emboldened by ENGIE’s success, another solar company – Ranger Power – announced in May its own plans to develop a solar farm in eastern Howard County.