A fight to protect family land is colliding with the rapid spread of large-scale solar development in southeast Georgia.
A fight to protect family land is colliding with the rapid spread of large-scale solar development in southeast Georgia.
A fight to protect family land is colliding with the rapid spread of large-scale solar development in southeast Georgia.
A fight to protect family land is colliding with the rapid spread of large-scale solar development in southeast Georgia, where a major solar project is under construction and drawing sharp criticism from nearby residents.
At a packed Bacon County commissioners meeting, residents demanded answers about how the project moved forward and whether county leaders were transparent about the process.
Amber Boatright, whose home sits next to the first phase of the project now under construction, said the development is too close for comfort.
“This was supposed to be my forever home. I was supposed to die here — and now I don’t want to live here,” Boatright said.
Standing near the construction site, she said the panels will be “basically 100 feet” from where she lives.
The development is being led by Silicon Ranch in partnership with Green Power EMC, which has built multiple solar projects across Georgia. Green Power’s website map shows operating sites statewide, including a project in neighboring Jeff Davis County where sheep graze across more than 2,000 acres.
The map also shows two Bacon County projects listed as under construction. Bacon County tax assessor records show Silicon Ranch owns nearly 800 acres there. The land is valued at about $1.3 million, while sales records list purchases totaling more than $5.1 million, with transactions dated from August through December 2024.
Community advocate Shea Hutchinson said his frustration is aimed at local officials, not the company.
“My fight is not with Silicon Ranch. My fight is with our local government,” Hutchinson said. He alleged the project was advanced despite public opposition, calling the process secretive.
After the meeting, county commissioners said in a statement that they signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, with Silicon Ranch before adopting ordinances regulating large-scale solar developments. Commissioners also said they formed a volunteer committee to gather information and make recommendations on next steps.
Some residents raised concerns about a past lawsuit involving Silicon Ranch in Stewart County tied to erosion damage, which resulted in the company paying millions of dollars.
Silicon Ranch co-founder Reagan Farr told WJCL that the company builds projects to own and operate long-term.
“If you’re building a house to sell it, you build it differently than if you’re building it to live in with your family for decades,” Farr said. “We build to own and operate.”
The company says it plans to invest more than $300 million in the Bacon County project, including annual student scholarships and grants for environmental enrichment projects. It also says the project will create about 300 construction jobs and that it has already held a job fair to recruit local workers. You can find Silicon Ranch’s webpage dedicated to Bacon County initiatives here.
Silicon Ranch says it will convert land into pasture to support thousands of sheep grazing beneath the panels — a model that combines solar generation with agriculture.
“We’re not just harvesting the sun,” Farr said. “We’re producing grass-fed meat, improving soil health, and enhancing wildlife habitat.”
The company says the project will deliver power to support nearby facilities, including Satilla REMC.
Bacon County commissioners are expected to consider recommendations from the volunteer solar ordinance committee, decisions that could affect future phases of the project.
Separately, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee has praised the growth of solar projects. Rep. Buddy Carter has highlighted Green Power EMC’s expansion, according to the company’s website.
Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
