Addressing Community Concerns with Renewable Energy Projects  

Proactive and Community-Centric Approaches to Solar Development in Pennsylvania 

Despite generally widespread support for clean, renewable energy, a growing number of solar, wind, and battery storage projects are being met with resistance at the local level.  

In fact, community opposition has become a leading cause of delays and cancellations, with a recent Berkeley Lab study revealing that roughly one-third of wind and solar projects are scrapped due to pushback — and nearly half experience delays of six months or more. Beyond the timeline setbacks, these interruptions can carry steep financial consequences, with developers often facing unrecoverable costs averaging $2 million per canceled solar project. 

So, what’s driving this disconnect? While many Americans embrace the idea of renewables in theory, almost half admit they would find a nearby solar farm visually unappealing, according to Pew Research. The result is a growing tension between the environmental benefits of solar energy and local concerns about aesthetics, property values, and land use. 

Here’s how early and proactive community engagement can bridge this gap — helping developers earn public trust, obtain project approvals faster, and ultimately bring more renewable energy solutions to life. 

Understanding Community Needs and Concerns

Effectively addressing opposition begins with understanding what matters most to the community. Meeting with local officials and hosting town halls with residents creates a platform for open dialogue and relationship-building. These conversations help uncover the specific concerns driving resistance — whether it’s the potential loss of farmland, visual impacts, stormwater runoff, sound, or glare.  

By actively listening and responding to these issues, developers can tailor their approach to meet local expectations. Incorporating thoughtful mitigation strategies and sustainable design elements not only demonstrates a commitment to being a good neighbor but also proves that renewable energy projects can integrate into the landscape with minimal disruption. 

Education and Myth-Busting

Misinformation often fuels community resistance to renewable energy projects. By proactively educating residents and dispelling common myths, developers can alleviate concerns and build trust. Here are some of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of solar farms and battery storage systems — and the facts behind them: 

Fire Safety and Maintenance

One of the biggest concerns is the risk of fire. In reality, solar farms and battery storage facilities are designed with advanced fire prevention and containment measures. High-tech sensors continuously monitor performance, and drone surveys can detect overheating panels before they pose a threat. Equipment is strategically spaced and separated by gravel paths to prevent fires from spreading — a concept known as “fire compartmentalization.” 

Emergency Response Preparedness

Local fire departments are equipped to respond to emergencies at renewable energy sites, but specialized training is essential. Developers can offer cover the cost of training for first responders, delivered by third-party experts, to ensure firefighters know how to safely de-energize solar arrays and have a comfort level with the facility. The National Electric Code includes guidelines that make this process straightforward, and national organizations have developed specific training materials to support first responders.  As many first responders in rural communities can be volunteers, this training can alleviate a significant concern for the municipality and the safety of their personnel that they may not otherwise be able to afford.  

Glare

Contrary to popular belief, solar panels do not produce significant glare. In fact, they are designed to absorb light — not reflect i t— because glare represents a loss of efficiency. Most panels are coated with anti-glare finishes and feature matte surfaces. Some even utilize reflected light by directing it to the backs of adjacent panels, maximizing energy capture while reducing visibility impacts. 

Noise

Solar farms do generate some sound, primarily from inverters, transformers, and motors that adjust panel angles. However, this noise averages around 55 decibels in immediate proximity to the source—comparable to a household refrigerator—and typically fades into the background within 50 to 150 feet of the equipment location. Sound studies and strategic site layouts ensure that equipment is placed away from neighboring properties to minimize disruption. 

Heavy Metal Leaching

Another common misconception is that solar panels leach harmful heavy metals into the soil and groundwater. In reality, the materials used in most solar panels—such as tempered glass, plastics, copper, silver, and aluminum—are safely enclosed in durable casings designed to prevent corrosion and moisture intrusion. Crystalline silicon, the primary component in most modern panels, is nontoxic and makes up over 25% of the earth’s crust. Although trace amounts of other materials, like lead, are present, they are embedded within the panel’s structure and pose minimal risk. 

Panels are built to withstand the elements and, even when damaged, are unlikely to break apart in a way that exposes internal materials. Moreover, nearly all modern panels meet the USEPA’s strict toxicity standards under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and are classified as nonhazardous waste. Developers can also conduct baseline soil testing before construction and compare it to post-installation results to confirm there is no environmental impact. In addition, strong recycling programs allow for the recovery and reuse of valuable materials when panels are decommissioned. 

By addressing these myths with facts and transparency, developers can replace fear with understanding — and skepticism with support. 

Innovative Site Design

Creative and thoughtful site design is one of the most powerful tools developers have to address community concerns while still meeting project goals. By layering solutions — rather than treating challenges in isolation — developers can reduce local impacts and even create benefits for the surrounding area. 

Strategic Buffering and Vegetative Restoration

A well-designed site layout can incorporate natural buffers and visual screening to ease concerns around both aesthetics and stormwater management. Vegetative buffers —especially those featuring native species or pollinator-friendly plants — not only help the project blend into the landscape, but also support local ecosystems. In fact, some municipalities now offer incentives or even require pollinator habitats in screening areas, turning functional landscape features into community assets. 

Integrated Stormwater Solutions

Rather than relying on a single, large stormwater basin, developers are increasingly using distributed systems that integrate stormwater management into the overall design. This can include bioswales, vegetated buffers, and infiltration areas that double as screening or habitat space — meeting multiple regulatory and environmental criteria simultaneously. 

Agrivoltaics: Farming and Energy Coexisting

One especially innovative approach is the concept of agrivoltaics, where solar arrays are designed to coexist with agricultural uses. A compelling example is unfolding in Hope Township, New Jersey, where Bohler is working with CEP Renewables and a local farmer to build a 10-MW solar array that will allow continued cultivation of crops like hay or soybeans beneath the panels. This dual-use solution provides the farmer with a dependable income stream from the leased land, while preserving active farmland and local agricultural character— addressing one of the most common community concerns. 

Ultimately, innovative design is about more than compliance — it’s about collaboration. By engaging with the community early and creatively integrating their feedback into the site layout, developers can deliver renewable energy projects that are both efficient and embraced by the neighborhoods they serve. 

Highlight the Benefits

While addressing concerns is crucial, it’s just as important to help communities understand the benefits of hosting a renewable energy project. 

Localized Power Generation and Grid Resilience

Although solar farms don’t power individual homes directly, they feed into the utility grid, supplementing the local energy supply. This decentralized energy generation means power is being produced closer to where it’s used, which reduces strain on long-distance transmission lines and improves grid resiliency. In areas where weather or other disruptions can impact power delivery, this proximity helps reduce the risk of outages and keeps electricity flowing more reliably. 

Increased Revenue for Communities

Solar farms can boost local tax revenue. When land is repurposed for renewable energy, its taxable value often increases due to the infrastructure and income potential it represents. This translates to higher property tax payments to local governments — providing funding that can be used for schools, emergency services, and other community needs. In some states, such as Minnesota, solar farms over one megawatt in size are also subject to a production tax, with revenue shared between the county and municipality. 

Low-Impact Land Use

Unlike many other types of development, solar farms are passive uses. They don’t generate traffic, require public services, or bring heavy truck activity. There’s minimal noise and no demand on police, schools, or local infrastructure. Additionally, modern stormwater management strategies ensure runoff is carefully controlled. Solar farms also come with end-of-life commitments — after around 50 years of use, developers are often required to decommission the site and restore it to its original state, with many municipalities requiring financial bonds in place to ensure that promise is kept. 

Developing Renewable Projects That Communities Can Support

Studies show that communities are two to three times more likely to support a solar project when they’re engaged through targeted education and outreach. At Bohler, we believe that successful renewable energy development goes beyond permits and plans — it’s about building trust, listening to concerns, and designing with intention. 

Our team understands the critical balance between advancing clean energy goals and addressing the realities on the ground. From innovative site layouts and mitigation strategies to community engagement and regulatory navigation, we help clients turn potential opposition into lasting support. 

Let us help you advance your project with a thoughtful, proactive approach that considers both the land and the community — greatly increasing your chances of success. While not every resident may be convinced, research shows this strategy makes a meaningful difference.