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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFull April submission for May MeetingNY Groton I, LLC NY Groton 11, LLC PO Box 384 Callicoon, NY 12723 April 30, 2024 Town of Groton Town Board 101 Conger Blvd. Groton, NY 13073 Attn: Town Board C/O Robin Cargian, RMC, Town Clerk Re: Community Utility Solar Development — South Main Street Project #1 and #2 Dear Mrs. Cargian, The purpose of this letter is to address concerns, from the Town Board members that were made during the April 18, 2024 site meeting, as well as to request to be included on the May Noah Planning Board meeting agenda. Please see below for concerns raised by Town Board members for the proposed Projects, as well as responses from Delaware River Solar ("DRS"): Concern: Inverter heip-ht/sound? • Response: The height of the pad that the inverter is set on is raised according to considerations of runoff water, flood areas, sound, and viewshed. The required height is determined and the inverter is installed. Landscaping will be considered to screen the invertor from the road. The inverter is connected to the solar panels, and its main function is to convert the DC energy produced into usable "household" energy, called AC power. There is a sound that occurs in the conversion process which is measured at about 70 decibels at maximum, which could be translated to the same noise production as a dishwasher. The sound would read from 150' away from the inverter at approximately 47 decibels, which could be translated to the same noise production as a refrigerator hum. With the inverters being placed 1200 and 800 feet away from the road, there will be minimal noise. Landscaping will also be considered to absorb noise production. A handout is provided with this submission to the Town with a link that has videos of the noise recorded from the inverter at varies distances from the inverter to approximately 150 feet away. Please also see the link to the handout here: https://drive.Qoozle.com/drive/u/0/folders/lxsd-KEAmZMIKADm]AsXdr 71GHIXRM3v Page 2 Concern: Where are the panels from? • Response: Solar panel manufacturers are spread throughout the world. DRS is notable to determine which company to purchase from until installation is in the foreseeable future, which is when the decision to purchase is vastly based on the availability of stocked panels to be delivered. As of April 2024, there were 18 operational solar panel manufacturers located in the United States. Ordering product from these manufacturers is increasingly difficult because the demand for American -made panels is very high, and the amount of panels produced is trailing far behind the output of other countries production capabilities. Please see the map included of those locations that solar panels will soon be produced. Domestic Solar Pane! Manufactudny - - - _.ws.�asaw orw nas .r•._ . . r u :se txa i • https:Ilwww.solarpowerworldonline.com/u-s-solar panel -manufacturers/ The direct benefit of the electricity produced by the panels will be for the Town of Groton. As well as create job opportunities for skilled workers, generation of tax revenues, and the generation of clean, affordable energy. Concern: Floodinja and water disturbance in the area and near the new baseball fields. Response: The engineers assigned to this project, P. W. Grosser Consulting, Inc., have prepared a draft Storm Water Pollution and Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for each project parcel. The SWPPP will be reviewed by the Town engineer and approved by the DEC and then preventative methods will be installed on site for erosion control and storm water. The plan purpose requires the same or less water to travel from the site, there can be no increase in waters headed to adjacent properties. For the North project parcel the total stormwater runoff is reduced from the proposed developed areas across the site between 11-27% depending on the intensity of the rainstorm. The peak discharge rate from the site is reduced between 11-35% depending on the intensity of the rainstorm- The reduction inflows is typically attributed to reducing the slope of the site and stabilizing the site with a seed mix specifically used for solar farms. Despite the reduction inflows, an additional 15,350 CF of storage in rain gardens is proposed for the site. Page 3 Concern: Property values will drop. • Response: The articles found on the internet relating to property values tend to vary slightly. Mostly due to the location that the study was done in. Rural areas seem to experience little to no property value decrease, while urban areas tend to see a slight decrease in value. According to a study from El Seviers study "Shedding light on large-scale solar impacts: An analysis ofproperty values and proximity to photovoltaics across six U.S. states" their analysis on over 1,500 large-scale solar projects near 1.8 million homes determine that: homes within 0.5 miles experience an average home price reduction of 1.5% compared to homes 2-4 miles away. Statistically significant effects were not reported to be measurable over one mile from a large-scale solar project. In a separate study "Property Values and Utility -Scale Solar Facilities ": "CohnReznick, LLP studied the value of properties adjacent to solar farms in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, New York, and Minnesota and concluded that the solar farms do not adversely affect the property values in either the short or long term. Cohn Reznick analyzed property sale prices and marketability of single-family homes and agricultural land adjacent to solar farms and compared this data to comparable properties in the same county. They also conducted interviews with county assessors and local real estate professionals. Consensus was that solar farms in their areas had not impacted property values. " Concern: Inauiry on how this solar field is considered to be "community solar". • Response: A home or business owner may subscribe to Meadow, which is a dedicated community solar customer acquisition and management platform. Meadow manages the community solar installations and will allocate the electricity generated from the South Main Street solar fields. After about three billing cycles (60-90 days) the subscriber would see the Solar Credits as a dollar amount deduction at the bottom of their NYSEG bill, which is on average 5-10% savings. The subscription to community solar can be canceled at any time. More information can be found at meadow. energy, (845) 414-3491 or in the informational packet included. Concern: Fencing around the solar field. • Response: The proposed perimeter "deer fencing, " black poly coated welded wire, will be eight (8) feet in height. The coating is corrosion resistant, and extremely durable when considering weathering, chipping, cracking, and UV rays. The black coating blends into the landscape for minimal visibility. Deer have difficultyjudging the height due to its color, therefore are less likely to jump the fence because they cannot gauge the vertical distance needed to clear. The woven mesh, if it is disturbed, will give upon impact, causing the animal attempting to climb the fence a struggle to get proper gripping. Page 4 Concern: Visual study of the two vroiects and screening: Response: PWGC Engineering was provided with a list of addresses that seemed to be the focus of the viewshed study. Those addresses far the North project are 396 Lick Street, 390 Lick Street, 301- 305 Lick Street, 801 South Main Street, 800 South Main Street, and 774 to 618 ST RT 38. For the South Project only 800 South Main Street seemed to be affected. Please see provided in this submittal a viewshed study that details the locations of the array that will be visible from those addresses. The color indicated in the field area is where the specific address will be able to see the field at the top elevation of the panels. From this study we have learned that an additional row of trees for the North parcel, along the field would be beneficial to help screen the array from the property owners located along Lick Road. The visual study will need to be discussed with the Town Board to see if there are other areas of concern. Once the locations are confirmed a more detailed study can be performed with visual representation of the solar fields with proposed landscaping. Concern: Moving the North parcel array down into the field and out of the woods. • Response: DRS contacted the owner of the property to see if a solar f eld design could be accomplished by using only the field on the North project parcel and not remove the forested area. The property owner agreed to let us explore that option. The draft layout showed the panels could be put entirely in the field but the solar production goes down as the lower end of the field slopes west. In addition the property owner would still like to provide usable farm land to local farmers to lease. If we use the entire field there will not be enough leasable land. The owner and the project sponsor would like to move forward with the existing layout of the solar panels both in the field and in the forest, so as much farmland can be saved as possible. Page 5 Delaware River Solar looks forward to meeting the concerns that the Town and the neighbors share. We would request at this time for both projects to be forwarded to the County for review. We would like to understand any concerns the County may have so we can start to address those as well. Please contact our office if you are missing any information or need clarification on any of the items submitted. Respectfully Submitted, Mollie Messenger Attachments included in this submission to the town: - Inverter Sound Study - Meadow Draft Visual site Assessment for the North and South project parcels. Encs. cc: Rich Winter, Chief Executive Officer JE)Its meadow OWERWEM DELAWARE RIVER SOLAR How Does Community Solar Work? YOUR HOME JoHti DM6 JUUAN AS OR BUSINESS APARTPONT cKANCESCASHousE QNDY Y COFFEE SHOP Ku"M HOl1SE Communitv Solar Subscription • Customers retain 5%-10% of the value of Solar Bill Credits • Agreement Terms o Mass Market: 1 year cancel anytime with no penalty o Anchor: 3+ years, cancellation w/ 180+ day notice meudow Whv Do Customers Enroll? Subscription Benefits • Guaranteed $ savings on each and every utility bill No equipment to install or maintain on roof or property • No upfront costs - Simple subscription model • Easiest way to go solar • No restrictive income or credit requirements • Customers start savings money right away, no payback period Customer Allocations to Utilitv • Each project submits a monthly customer list to the utility • List shows customer account numbers and allocation % to each o Allocation % to each customer contingent on individual electric usage ■ example: customer A uses 10,000 kWh/year, project P50 is 1,000,000 kWh/year, allocation % is 1%. • Allocations on a forward looking basis How Does Community Solar Work? How It Works 1 subscribe►: solar f ar. . Reside -is and busnesses subscribe to a Meadow solar farm. 2 Solar Farm The solar farm sends energy t0 the utility grid, resulting in Solar Cred ts. Subscribers utility 3 Utility The utility apples Solar Credits to subscriber electric bills. t Subscriber 4 Electric Bills ti Electric Bills Subscribers save money eacn month or every e.ectric b&, _ O r Each solar farm supports 500 - 1,000 subscribers. meadow www.meadow.energy/how-it-works V i su�� S A P o 9-t11 page e E L- P74,C4 f�- S. 1— g 3. Existing vegetation height is averaged to be around 25'-3U'. 4. Screening vegetation height is 6' at initial planting. Feet 0 250 500 750 1,000 fR7117 ,.390 Lick St v N MEN Q Subject Property Array Area Tax Lot Boundary Proposed Screening VViewpoint 1 Area Visible from Viewpoint 1 0 Pv4c CLIENT DRIVEN SOLUTIONS 630 Zohnwn Avg.. 6�IE. 7 Boh—ie, NV 11716 Ph: 631.568-6353 • F.: 631-589-8705 pwpc.lnfay.pw9rps....... Main Street Project #1 North nnnwmE9 FReFnRR,e poR: iEVISN2N ' INAU I INITIAL i COMMENTS P�.J : 0RS2113 t—,.,Cdby'. Ue Dale. 4/29/2024 M.— by. AM Y-Wl A55NOwN App,... d by: uc Area Visible from Viewpoint 1 South Main St Groton, NY 13073 FIGURE NO: 1 - -_ —ITT PAW cuewT olervew sor_urlol3s 1 630 Jehhenh A— Suite 7 `, Ph: 631368-6333 • Fas: 631-SBB•8705 \ 1 — — — — — — — — — — — l pw9c.lnfo.ngwprniler.com 1 �! 1 I r — — —1 T i S. Main Street Project # 1 North I I l ' III1�WiNb 14U:P0.1';C 11I UH. 1 1 r n: 1 1 to � 1 I `---_________i I II HEVINON OWE -M,11-t COMMFNTs Soo. ............. % -. ll i N:uldcl. nN5d31:1 pssl3,ri�x16Y LIE: ._S7�P �. oaw, 4/d3f1tR� nrewn br. AM 305 Lick 5t ^lu: assnuwn App�.ed 6y, uc Area Visible from .� ( � I •• � Viewpoint 2 0 Subject Property Notes: �� Array Area South Main St 1, Viewshed Analysis performed with elevations at existing grade Groton NY 13073 and proposed grade within array area. __, Tax Lot Boundary r 2. Viewshed Analysis performed using an observer height of 6 ft- I — Proposed Screening FIGURE NO: 3. Existing vegetation height is averaged to be around 25'-30'. -"' 4. Screening vegetation height is 6' at initial planting. _ _._.. _ _I Viewpoint 2 2 Area Visible from 0 250 500 750 1,000 Viewpoint 2 N �\I T� 801 South Main St I I---_---__.._3 1 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 r---1 I I I 1 1 I 1 I i 1 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1 ---1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 rt 1 T 1 1 if 1� 1 t - I r• - — — — — — _ _ — _ _ _ — J i S2r�. e� Notes: 1, Viewshed Analysis performed with elevations at existing grade ., iand proposed grade within array area. _ 2. Viewshed analysis performed using a horizontal human eye `•��. view angle of 0'to 180° and a vertical view angle of 0" to 90 3. Viewshed Analysis performed using an observer height of 6 ft. 4. Existing vegetation height is averaged to be around 25'-30'. ......... ` 5. Screening vegetation height is 6' at initial planting. Feet I I • 0 2S0 500 750 1,000 0 PAM CLIENT DRIVEN SOLUTIONS 630 Johnson Ave., Suit* 7 Sohrml6, NY 11716 ph: 631-588.6333 • Fpx:631-669-87os pwve.l of aepwyross�r.com S. Main Street Project #1 North t INx,. rtw tx,�ux,�Mtnl�i5l.�l��gv:�e! DRAWING PNEPAREO FOR.uv kFVISIUN UAiE INnIAI. CUMM[NT1 an. 0p�ulcc,. u DkSa.)13 UuxiR��,tl by'. Uc "MV201t Uiawn by: AM S..W. A, SHOWN Appiovnd by: uc Area Visible from Viewpoint 4 Q Subject property Array Area Tax Lot Boundary — Proposed Screening • Viewpoint 4 _ Area Visible front Viewpoint 4 South Main St Groton, NY 13073 FIGURE NO: 4 N 396 Lick St II PVMC CLIENT DRIVEN SOLUTIONS 630 Jehhaon Avc. Suite 7 NY 11716 Ph: 631,599-01363 - Fax: 631-5119-8705 S. Main Street Project #1 North --------- — -W, 1. ...........11-" — — — — — — — — — — — — . ... ... likvli;Qm MfF INHIM LQMMVF4T1 �'MMA MR F-.1- r'"MIX � D",-Olhy LIC 57� / DA.. 4129/2024 b... by�AM et "6r A., SHOWN App_"� d Uc 'Ar Area Visible from r Viewpoint 5 Subject Property Notes: Array Area South Main St 1. Vie shed Analysis performed with elevations at existing grade roposed grade within artay area. Groton, NY 13073 and ow Tax Lot Boundary 2. Vie hed Analysis performed using an observer height of 6 ft. Proposed Screening FIGURE NO: w' 3. Existing vegetation height is averaged to be around 25'-30'. Viewpoint 5 1. Screening vegetation height is 6'at initial planting.♦ Area Visible from Feet Viewpoint 5 0 250 500 750 1,0()0 -----------t I 1 1 1 I I I I 1 r---1 1 1 r I ____-------- 1 1 I 1 1 — —'-------1 1 I i l � I 1 1 1 oo�vo 1 \ � t � 1 1 1 I \ ' L Notes: 1, Viewshed Analysis performed with elevations at existing grade and proposed grade within array area. 2. Viewshed Analysis performed using an observer height of 6 ft. 3. Existing vegetation height is averaged to be around 25'-30'. 4. Screening vegetation height is Vat initial planting. Feet 0 250 500 750 1,000 �vih. \� 301 Lick St -.- Q Subject Property va► Array Area n Tax Lot Boundary — Proposed ScreeningViewpoint 6 \� --•-. - ♦ Area Visible from Viewpoint 6 ti 0 P%WSNC CLIENT DRIVEN SOLUTIONS 630 John— A—, SOitr 7 Bphrmlr, NY 11716 Ph: 631.6E6-6333 • Fes: 631-369.6703 pwpc.lnivdpwproaarr.cttm S. Main Street Project #1 North uuawwo rw:ranioroR. EVISIONi DATE INDIAI. i COMMENTS F•olnct. CIRS1111 UWNRrrod bV' Wt.. 4/29/2024 Drawn by: ...I. AS SHOWN App—d by: Area Visible from Viewpoint 6 South Main St Groton, NY 13073 FIGURE NO: I uc AM uc Peru Rd d 0 Notes: 1. Viewshed Analysis performed with elevations at existing grad and proposed grade within array area. 2. Viewshed Analysis performed using an observer height of 6 ft. 3. Existing vegetation height is averaged to be around 25'-30' 4. Screening vegetation height is 6' at initial planting. eet —0 25U Soo 750 11 ir- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subject Property e Array Area Tax Lot Boundary Proposed Screening Viewpoint 7 Area Visible from Viewpoint 7 0 PV%M CLIENT DRIVEN SOLUTIONS 630J*I Suit. 7 I1.hI NY 11116 Ph: 631-509-6353 - 1163 p,g,.Inf—pwigross—com Main Street Project #1 North III ILI "... PRI VAM 11 ION! INITIAL I COMMENTS N",to UC IDA.: 4f W024 AM MSHOWN APP-WldbV uc Area Visible from Viewpoint 7 South Main St Groton, NY 13073 FIGURE NO: 7 %1; SuA+- stuo4 jet () :--A �t JJ2",�(' C- r ______- 1 1 1 I r 1 1 1 1 rr, / Main Notes: 1, Viewshed Analysis performed with elevations at existing grade and proposed grade within array area. 2. Viewshed Analysis performed using an observer height of 6 ft. 3. Existing vegetation height is averaged to be around 25'-30'. 4. Screening vegetation height is 6' at initial planting. Feet — —� 0 420 840 1,260 1,680 t Q Subject Property Array Area ] Tax Lot Boundary Proposed Screening • Viewpoint 8 _ Area Visible from Viewpoint 8 0 PVYW 630 Jahnsan Ave„ 5LI[6 ] Bohemia, NY 11716 Ph: 631-589-6353 • Pax: 631-589-3705 pW 9[.IpfO�e.pW 9roa�ar.Lom S. Main Street Project #1 North I I���ViAnn �MJAi,:x�!>15AWOtAP�-W LI tlPIAWIii "I MXF') I'UXI Nf VIiION UATF INnIAI. I CUMMFNfS i P�tlleci: UX52313 UVs,X„ed 6Y: ue Wt, 413012U24 I n1ANl+hy, AM Stele: AS =W2N4 Apio—d by: UC Area Visible from Viewpoint 8 South Main St Groton, NY 13073 FIGURE N0: S 1� 15u PcC— s I Ltn� s 0 u.-1-d Y9,Mecc c._ w 800 South i Main St 11 w �^ 1 1 r r r 1 r r r 1 1 1 1 r� Notes: 1. Viewshed Analysis performed with elevations at existing grade. 2. Existing vegetation height is averaged to be around 25'-30'. • Feet iF 0 250 500 750 1,000 rz 0 PVVW CLIENT ORIYEN EOLUTIONS 630 Johnsen Ava., Sul Ee 7 Bphamla, NY 11716 Ph: 631-$89-6363 - Fax: 631-589-B705 p W 90.1.-- 0 W 9resHr.epm S. Main Street Project #2 South ui MAWINr PHI FAR(D MRI"M 1A� E Sr r s � flEYI510N GATE INITIAE 50MMENT5 ��,( ProlecY: 0flS331a Uoslg�ad Ny: Lq; 3119/i0201 Drawn by: AM Scale: A3 SXOWN Appl—d 6V 1JL' Area Visible from Viewpoint 3 (Existing Grade r and Vegetation) Subject Property South Main St Tax tot Boundary Groton, NY 13073 E_;Array Area FIGURE NO: Viewpoint 3 3 Area Visible From Viewpoint 3 How Loud Is 70 Decibels? 70 decibels is as loud as a washing machine or a dishwasher. It is a moderate noise level. Source: httos://decibelnro.al,a/blog/how-loud-is-70-db/ Noise study conducted at Delaware River Solar Harris Road project on 4/23/2024 How loud Is too loud? 140 db Being exposed to high levels of noise negatively impacts your hearing Hearing threshold and can impact your overall health. According to specialized research, the safe 120 db exposure limit is 85 decibels for no more than 8 hours per day — Dangerous! 110 db patrful Here are some common decibel levels. 100 db 90 db -------- ---------------- --....... -- Loud 85 db 63db-------- ---Moderate-quiet ------ -•-------------- — — ---•-- - ------- --------- --- Soft ........ ....... — ........ ....... ......... ------- — ....... ... Very faint Leaves Whisper Normal Busy city Hairdryer rustling conversation traffic Harris Road Solar Project Harris Road, Ferndale NY SBL: 36-1-121.3 �.. 9. lr.. Mi MP3 Bock Plane Gunshot/ player concert taking Fireworks I vo;ume) off d NYSEG r GROWNGfR 2401310 Setbo,�k -ad MV Coble KCMII Al Phase Cable 4 C (Point of Common Coupling) d 2 1 * rt. -�' x i 2 .VW (Limited) AC Inverter Pod 1 of shower - .0 .: Conversation 50 .: Refrigerator MEN", 40 .; Stream 20 dB Breathing 10 dB Empty Room Jo people or running 0-30 dB is "Very Quiet" appliances 31-60 dB is "Quiet" 61-80 is "Annoying" 80+ dB is "Potentially Damaging" T Hover a smartphone camera & click link for videos of the Decibel readings from the operational Harris Road Solar Project. ill . . 41 CLICK HERE for videos of the Decibel readings from the operational Harris Road Solar Project. Harris Road Decibel Meter Key -Inverter 1 - 0 feet from inverter 2 - 100 feet from inverter 3 - 150 feet from inverter I C ON* born a 10a w ! to bfty lw 2 •n;; am iW%CwKeaMc fto~ 36 kV ,a L*n9� 149 dl ■ ► Mft Cobb 1 S�■ck i J 10 rGe If! N 1 South Main S Solar Project .c� a�iea�..e-.moo. wr-.cm -•,4� _ el•�. �. �� rrw �'�� r _ 7 e 4tTO�CANCK�i�tA MYi �� -�--- s,OCisAYr'GK}Y!�-K 1,200'to road mum IFANk •�� _ - - - - � _ I,Ir / J.•ll", n`. �ORAz bci'nr6 „r 1 1�OrOAtD•r,fGSw,R ���� ,ACa•IO�Or {!tl�E \ � LSR T,OYOKO ,A.ifJtl er r.,ieAa I [sK,r•w� aac• ,mom OO�MAC •tI.RW +r w nlena,e w+el,a„ � !•Yp.y f Wt'alEl.•ww �[ IH3!! « rTA rxe SQ l,tO A•!E - C1lM91D4O•f-YGNw6 1. - 1 X r i_ — u ncn r_ — = � ■ i _ _ Decibel Meter Key _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ------------- L - _----- ------ X - inverter \, —0feet from inverter. 67decibels 2 —100 feet from inverter. 51 decibels 3 —150 feet from inverter. 47 decibels nanx wlldrevr.