IRWIN COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — An Irwin County couple has filed a lawsuit against NextEra Energy and several other defendants, claiming a proposed industrial-scale solar project near their home would amount to a long-term nuisance, repeated trespass, and a taking of private property without compensation.
Christopher Mann and Melody Mann, listed as the plaintiffs, filed the complaint on July 7 in Irwin County Superior Court. The suit names NextEra Energy Inc., Amber Meadow Solar LLC, NextEra project director Melissa Schroeder, the Ocilla-Irwin County Industrial Development Authority, McWhorter Driscoll LLC and Susan Driscoll, as defendants.
The Manns said the proposed project would convert more than 2,000 acres of farmland into a solar facility that could place equipment close to their property line and effectively surround their home. The lawsuit argued the county’s current solar ordinance allows a 50-foot setback that is not enough to protect neighboring residential property owners.
In the filing, the couple alleged the project has already brought repeated survey and development activity near their home. They claim crews associated with the project trespassed on their property and that drones flew into the airspace around their home and pool area.
The lawsuit also raised concerns about emergency response and fire safety, arguing the size and electrical infrastructure of the proposed facility would create risks that local resources may not be equipped to handle. The complaint also cites environmental concerns, including drainage and runoff.
A major part of the Manns’ complaint centers on the Ocilla-Irwin County Industrial Development Authority’s role in what the suit described as a tax-incentive and bond-financing structure used to help make the project economically viable. The filing alleged the authority agreed to a sale-leaseback arrangement in which project equipment would be conveyed to the authority and leased back to the solar developer, reducing certain property tax costs and replacing them with payments instead of taxes.
The Ocilla-Irwin County Industrial Development Authority responded to WALB’s request for comment:
“The lawsuit filed by the Manns is pending and active. As you know, at issue is the solar project. Therefore, we cannot comment on these questions.”
The Manns also alleged conflicts of interest involving Susan Driscoll and McWhorter Driscoll LLC, claiming Driscoll served in an advisory economic development role tied to the authority while holding a financial interest in land connected to the solar project.
The lawsuit seeks damages and other relief, including compensation for alleged loss of use and enjoyment of their property, diminished property value, attorney’s fees and punitive damages against some defendants. The complaint also demands a jury trial.
The case comes as many communities across South Georgia debate the rapid growth of large-scale energy and industrial projects tied to data centers.
In neighboring Mitchell County, residents recently packed a commission meeting to oppose a rezoning that they said could potentially house a 1,500-megawatt NextEra Energy power plant tied to data center development.
Irwin County has also been part of broader discussions and concerns about the impact of potential data center growth, including water use, noise and job promises.
For now, the Manns’ lawsuit focuses on the impact they say the solar project will have on their home and property rights—and whether local government decisions and incentives allegedly enabled a project they argue will permanently change the rural landscape surrounding them.
WALB has reached out to Irwin County, NextEra Energy and the other defendants listed in the lawsuit for comment. We will provide updates as responses come in.
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