Zoning Board Approves West Deptford's First Residential Solar Project

The West Deptford zoning board approved the township’s first residential solar project this week, amid a discussion about the possibilities for a residential solar ordinance.

The board unanimously approved a use variance for James Hamel to build a freestanding 8.02-kilowatt solar array on a lot adjoining his home, with the stipulation that the property would have to either be sold as a single property, or the array removed, should the lots ever be sold separately.

Much of the debate at the meeting circled around the fact that it was a ground-mounted array, rather than solar panels installed on the roof of Hamel’s home.

“This is uncharted territory,” zoning board chair Joseph Jarrett said.

Though West Deptford doesn’t have an ordinance governing solar power in residential areas, there is state law that allows for solar installations at farms–and Hamel’s 28 acres are farmed–that provide up to 10 percent over the needs of the farm.

Zoning board solicitor John Alice said it’s becoming more common for local governments to enact a residential solar power ordinance; whether that means limiting solar panels to rooftops or crafting something that allows for a variety of installations would be up for debate.

Ultimately, an ordinance would have to be put together by the zoning board, then sent up to township committee for final approval.

The board’s agenda also originally included final site plan review on PSE&G’s proposed solar farm on Jessup Road, which was the subject of lengthy debate from local residents at last month’s meeting.

PSE&G voluntarily withdrew that from consideration for April, and it’s now scheduled to be heard at the zoning board’s May 10 meeting.