HAMPTON TWP., Mich. (WNEM) – A packed meeting was held in Bay County’s Hampton Township Wednesday night over a proposed solar project that could cover more than ten acres of farmland.
Residents packed the room to hear about a proposed solar project, and many came ready to push back.
“You can agree with solar energy,” said Neil Spencer, a local resident. “But you disagree with it being in your backyard and that’s what this project is kind of being a part of.”
The project comes from Pivot Energy, a Colorado-based developer looking to build a roughly 11-acre solar array near West Center and Nebobish roads.
Rows of solar panels would be installed across open farmland to generate electricity. Power from those panels would then feed into the local electric grid.
For many residents, the meeting quickly turned into a list of concerns. Some questioned whether developers fully understand the land in this part of Bay County.
“I am opposed to it,” said Andrew Smith, a local resident. “Because I think there’s other areas, other options for solar. Not on fertile farm ground.”
Others worried about the financial burdens, home depreciations, seeing solar panels in their front and backyards, and potential environmental impacts — including how chemicals or stormwater runoff could damage the farmland.
“I mean, what is this doing for us? There’s no benefit,” said Smith. “I’m not going to get a reduction on my energy or on my electricity because of these solar panels.”
Frustration grew when many residents realized no township officials were present at the meeting. Some also said they never received notice about the proposal until days before.
“I think as leaders of the community, you have an obligation,” said Smith. “Especially on something that’s like a sensitive topic like this. They should be here.”
After the meeting, many residents were saying that they are not ready to see the solar panels on the farmland.
“This company isn’t from this state,” said Smith. “They don’t have any projects that are currently active in this state. They haven’t been around that long. It’s kind of a big unknown of looking at something for the next 30-plus years.”
Inside the meeting, neighbors urged each other to take the conversation to township leaders directly, encouraging people to attend the next board meeting.
“A lot of decisions are made by local politicians and it’s up to the residents to voice those concerns to politicians,” said Smith.
Developers said the meeting was meant to gather feedback before submitting a formal permit application, a conversation many residents said they are not interested in having.
“If the people don’t want it, we should not have this,” said Smith. “This is where we live.”
Pivot Energy shared the following statement when TV5 asked why all of the township was not notified of the town hall:
Pivot Energy, a renewable energy developer with more than 15-years of experience, hosted an open-house style community meeting tonight for two proposed 1.95MW projects in Hampton Township, each occupying approximately 12 acres, that are in early development. This community meeting is part of Pivot’s community engagement strategy, and is designed to invite neighbors within 1,000 feet of the proposed solar project parcels to meet Pivot Energy representatives, ask questions about the projects, and share their feedback, prior to any Hampton Township permitting activities.
When TV5 asked how the township will benefit directly from the proposed project, Pivot Energy shared the following statement:
The demand for energy is increasing, which is driving the need for other sources of energy generation. Pivot Energy’s solar projects will provide an alternative source of energy that is locally-produced, helps improve grid reliability, and  reduces the reliance on other forms of energy used in the area. It also supports energy independence and stabilizes electricity costs. Solar, which is taxed at a higher rate than the current agricultural or industrial uses, brings in more tax revenue to the township (that Pivot Energy pays) for already established taxing districts. In addition, Pivot Energy provides a community investment program ($5,000 per megawatt) to a local nonprofit or organization, working in energy burden reduction, workforce development, or land stewardship efforts.
Pivot Energy shared the following statement when TV5 asked about the project’s timeline:
These projects are in early development and have not signed interconnection agreements with the utility, or submitted permit applications to the township. If they move forward, construction likely wouldn’t occur until early 2028. After 6-9 months of construction, these projects would operate for 20-30 years.
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