A solar farm planned on almost 1,200 acres in four Erie County townships is moving through the municipal approval process.
French Creek Energy is planning a $263 million utility-grade solar farm in Union, LeBoeuf, Amity and Waterford townships. The project developer is Ampliform, a Pennsylvania-based renewable energy company.
Union, Amity and LeBoeuf townships have approved the solar project, granting special exceptions to their zoning ordinances for the development. Waterford Township supervisors will consider the plans on Aug. 5.
The French Creek Energy solar project would install an estimated 289,776 solar panels and related equipment on 686 acres, mostly in Union Township.
The project, including buffer areas and access roads, would encompass about 1,168 acres.
The estimated $263 million cost includes engineering, materials, construction and grid connection updates.
The 150-megawatt solar farm would provide electricity to the PJM Interconnection grid serving Pennsylvania and 12 other states.
Construction could begin as early as next year and be completed in 12 to 18 months.
French Creek Energy is required to provide a bond or other financial assurance to cover decommissioning costs — or the cost to remove equipment and plant new trees after the solar farm ends operations.
The total decommissioning cost currently is estimated at $44.7 million. That cost will be re-evaluated in 2032 and then at five-year intervals.
The majority of the solar panels and related equipment will be in Union Township, on properties along Kimball Hill, Murray, Cross, Inman, Union-Amity, Old Wattsburg and Hanlin roads and Route 8 north, in the northwestern part of the township.
The Amity portion of the solar farm will be located in the southwestern part of township, along Middleton, Kimball Hill and Union-Amity roads.
The LeBoeuf portion of the development will be located in the northeastern part of the township, primarily along Route 97 and Middleton and Wheelertown roads.
In Waterford Township, the development would be on two parcels totaling 117 acres along Route 97, near Hare Road. Solar panels would be installed on 56 acres.
French Creek Energy has applied to Waterford Township for conditional use approval for the Waterford portion of the project.
The solar development would be located in a district zoned for agriculture. Solar energy systems are permitted in the district as a conditional use, providing the development meets township requirements.
Those requirements include a 250-foot setback from neighboring homes and other occupied buildings; a noise management plan; lighting restrictions; buffer areas; and a decommissioning plan.
Waterford Township supervisors will consider the conditional use application during a public hearing on Aug. 5.
The hearing will be held at the township municipal building, 12451 Circuit St., beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@gannett.com.

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