101.5 FM Homer/Cortland, NY
Lily Byrne, X101 News:
The Homer Town Board spent Wednesday night hearing residents’ thoughts on the proposed solar law.
During Privilege of the Floor, Larry Jones spoke about the importance of the proposed solar law allowing agrivoltaics systems, which is land being used for both solar and agriculture, such as having poultry or cattle grazing under high panels.
“If I wanted to put poultry under solar panels, it’s currently prohibited by the proposed town law,” Jones said. “I think it would be a real shame for Homer to ignore that.”
“All of these proposals that were put out last month was the first blush,” Town Supervisor Michael Parks said. “Nobody has even seen it, it’s just that by law I have to put it on the website. It’s not final… I agree, we do have a lot of work to do.”
Michael Broughton discussed at the meeting his experience with building a solar system at his Homer residence.
The current proposed law says solar panels must be installed by a qualified solar installer. Broughton, who installed his own solar panels, argues that a skilled home D.I.Y.-er is allowed to build their own house, porch, barn and electrical work, as long as proper permits are obtained and inspections are passed. Solar should be the same, he said.
The law also currently states that a solar panel cannot be 100 feet within a road. This blanket prohibition excludes practical places for panels, like the back of someone’s roof, if their home happens to be close to a road, Broughton said.
Parks also gave an update on the AES solar project, which will start construction in 2027.
“We did have the discussion about working hours, it kind of ruffled my feathers because when it was all said and done we were told ‘too bad, they’re going to work seven days a week, 14 hours a day, holidays, it doesn’t matter what the town says.’ They’re going to do what they want.”
The solar project on Houghton Hill is going well, Parks said. They will likely start construction in the Spring, Dan Ellis said.
Also at the meeting, a Public Hearing was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 14 to hear public comments on a proposed local law that would override the tax cap.
“I know I’m going to exceed the 2% tax cap,” Park said. “I don’t see any way I’m going to stay in it. I mean, the county has so much of our sales tax.”

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