Antinuclear

Solar farm for Parkes, could double as sheep farm

French company plans 240ha solar farm for Parkes  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-18/240ha-solar-farm-planned-for-parkes/7035218 Landholders adjoining a proposed solar farm near Parkes in central west New South Wales are being assured they will not be adversely affected by the development. The proponent Neoen is planning a 240-hectare plant west of the town that will include about 245,000 solar panels.

Cattle producer John Smeaton plans to lease his land to the company and says planting trees around the site will address any concerns about glare.

He said he was confident the area would remain productive and become ideal for grazing sheep.”These panels, cattle would wreck them, the only thing they could run there could be sheep,” Mr Smeaton said.

“Some of the other neighbours might be interested in running sheep there.

“From a fire prevention point of view I think it’s necessary for something to take the grass down, because it’s fertile farm land and the grass can grow a metre or more high and it grows hot when it burns.”

The company plans to create 120 jobs during construction if it is successful in getting grant funding and planning approvals next year. Mr Smeaton said it would also have tourism potential.

December 21, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | ACT, solar