County Delares Solar Eclipse
Opting to take the advice of the majority of the general public who spoke during the public hearing and the recommendation of the Hardeman County Planning Committee, the Hardeman County Commission voted unanimously to place a moratorium on solar projects in Hardeman County for twelve months.
Three projects in various acts of completion were mentioned: a completed project by Silicon Ranch on Mecklinburg Road that is scheduled to open in March, a project by Piccolo Lake Solar, LLC, as successor-in-interest to GreenGo Energy US Asset Holdco, and another project by Silicon Ranch.
With the moratorim, only the completed project on Mecklinburg Road appears to be able to go forward at this time, although contracts are in place in various stages on the other two.
In May of 2022, the Hardeman County Board of Zoning Appeal voted to approve the petition from Piccolo Lake Solar, “for solar farm with energy storage system and permit for potential expansion of a solar energy system,” but has no building permits in place.
The third project has Silicon Ranch with an option to purchase property on Peavine Road and a contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), but it looks to be on hold at this time with no other paperwork in place. Due dilligence has already begun on the project, according to Silicon Ranch.
“We respect the Hardeman County Commission’s desire to develop a solar ordinance in way that best fits the community and its unique interests,” began a statement from Silicon Ranch. “As the long-term owner of every project we develop, we pride ourselves on becoming a member in each community where we locate our solar farms. In addition to providing a reliable and cost-effective source of energy, when done right, projects like SR Middleton can benefit Hardeman County with significant new tax revenues, new jobs, and new types of economic development opportunities we are already seeing created throughout The Valley. We look forward to working further with the community to ensure that this, and future solar projects developed in Hardeman County, fit within the local context and are something community members and our neighbors are proud of,” it concluded.
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Silicon Ranch is one of the largest independent solar power producers in the country. Its founding member of the Board of Directors is former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen.