Photo: US Air Force
Elon Musk has opened up Tesla's patents to anyone who wants to help advance electric vehicle technology. BMW has invested heavily in a new range of innovative, green cars. The Norwegians are buying thousands of EVs every month. And the good people of Woodland, North Carolina... rejected a solar farm for fear it would suck up all the sun's energy. What?!?
Surely it must be something that the press is turning around, taking out of context, blowing out of proportions for the sake of a good headline. Sadly, no. According to The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, the town council rejected the proposal to change the zoning of a piece of land from residential/agricultural to manufacturing.
The land was supposed to hold a solar farm built by Strata Solar Company. Three out of four council members voted to approve the motion to reject the rezoning after people voiced their opinion against the farm. The residents expressed distrust and fear of the solar panels. Distrust and fear! Wow.
Here's the icing on this bizarre cake: Jane Mann, a native of the area and former science teacher - keep that last piece of info in mind as you read on - is worried about the vegetation. As she puts it, the panels inhibit plants' photosynthesis, because they no longer receive enough sunlight. Her husband said the solar farms suck up all the energy from the sun while Jane Mann delivered this gem: no one could tell her that solar panels didn't cause cancer.
There are three other solar farms in the area, but the Woodland Town Council has now voted for a moratorium on future farms. Several company representatives tried to reassure the townsfolk, telling them that solar farms have proven to be safe and have no negative impact on property value. One guy even dared state that the panels only use sunlight that hits them directly and can't draw additional sunlight. Lies! Burn the witches!
The land was supposed to hold a solar farm built by Strata Solar Company. Three out of four council members voted to approve the motion to reject the rezoning after people voiced their opinion against the farm. The residents expressed distrust and fear of the solar panels. Distrust and fear! Wow.
Here's the icing on this bizarre cake: Jane Mann, a native of the area and former science teacher - keep that last piece of info in mind as you read on - is worried about the vegetation. As she puts it, the panels inhibit plants' photosynthesis, because they no longer receive enough sunlight. Her husband said the solar farms suck up all the energy from the sun while Jane Mann delivered this gem: no one could tell her that solar panels didn't cause cancer.
There are three other solar farms in the area, but the Woodland Town Council has now voted for a moratorium on future farms. Several company representatives tried to reassure the townsfolk, telling them that solar farms have proven to be safe and have no negative impact on property value. One guy even dared state that the panels only use sunlight that hits them directly and can't draw additional sunlight. Lies! Burn the witches!
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