Solar Project Going Before Commission

A large solar project proposed off O’Byrnes Ferry Road will be discussed by the Tuolumne County Planning Commission this week.

The company Ecoplexus Inc. out of the Bay Area is hoping to install 5,976 photovoltaic solar panels on over 14 acres owned by T-Five Ranches. The solar panels would be 3 ft. by 6 ft. in size. It would generate enough energy to fuel approximately 500 homes. All of the energy produced would be distributed to the PG&E utility grid.

Last year the state of California amended the Conservation Act, better known as the Williamson Act, to allow property owners to apply for solar easements on agriculture land. This project stemmed from that particular rule change.

On Wednesday’s agenda is a proposal to issue a Solar-Use Easement for a minimum of 20 years, revise the Williamson Act agreement and issue a Conditional Use Permit. The Planning Commission will only be making a recommendation, as the final decision will come from the Board of Supervisors.

The T-Five Ranches property is located on the north side of O’Byrnes Ferry Road, directly east of the Sierra Conservation Center. The solar array would be about 450 ft. off the roadway.
Wednesday’s meeting begins at 6pm in the Board of Supervisors meeting room.