Holmdel Environmental Commission Reviews Solar Farm Proposal

Pursuing clean, renewable energy is a worthy goal, but it doesn't come without its own set of risks and limitations, said members of the Holmdel Environmental Commissson at a meeting last night.

The HEC discussed their concerns after reviewing the application by CornerStone Power Development, LLC, a Chicago based solar power plant development company. CornerStone Power, recently acquired by OCI Enterprises, proposes to erect 208 ground-level solar panels on a 34-acre tract of land located at 970 Holmdel Road, between Vonage Headquarters and Roberts Road.

HEC Chair Michael Nikolis noted CornerStone's thorough, detailed application, but Commission members still had questions that needed further investigation and clarification at the meeting on April 20.

“I don't see anything in their application about the kind of solar panels they're going to install,” said Nikolis. “Many of the materials in solar panels are highly toxic and extremely dangerous if they catch on fire or break apart so that their components leach into the ground,” he said.

According to its website, OCI's parent company, Korea-based OCI Company Ltd., is an industry leader in green energy as a producer of high-purity polysilicon – a key raw material in solar PV panels.

Longtime HEC member Christopher Yonclas said that 16 acres of fixed solar panels would kill the underlying grass which would lead to erosion, water run-off, and silt deposition, particularly into the adjacent Willow Brook and its surrounding wetlands.

Perhaps of greatest concern is that Holmdel, like many cities and towns, is charting new territory for industrial scale solar farming as there are currently no township ordinances or guidelines to deal with this new technology.

“Companies are moving fast to get in on financial incentives,” said Nikolis, “But I think the township needs better planning for this type of thing.”

“I think that it would be wise for the Planning Board to come up with an ordinance that would fit solar panels and solar farms into the township Master Plan,” said Nikolis.

The Holmdel Environmental Commission (HEC) is an advisory body charged, among other things, with reviewing development applications and making recommendations to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

A motion to forward the Environmental Commission's concerns to the Zoning Board of Adjustment was approved by unanimous consent.

Present at the meeting were Chairman Michael Nikolis, Christopher Yonclas, Environmental Officer Paul Kraus, Assistant Township Engineer Bonnie Heard, and Pat Soscia, Board secretary.

Members Derek Dailey, Anthony Salerno, and alternate Kevin Soldo were absent. Two members of the public were in attendance.

The Holmdel Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold an open, public meeting on the proposed solar farm on April 27 at 8 p.m. at Town Hall.