Solar Developments Proposed for Northrup and Harris Roads
The Town of Penfield will very soon be considering two applications before the Planning Board for solar farms, one located on Northrup Road and another on Harris Road. The town project pages for these proposals can be found here:
Northrup: https://www.penfield.org/detail_T12_R738.php
Harris: https://www.penfield.org/detail_T12_R739.php
In both cases, the solar arrays would be owned by subsidiaries of GreenSpark Solar on land leased from the current property owners. Both projects are on the order of 20 - 25 acres in size, and appear to have appreciable buffering and setbacks from public roads and neighboring properties.
A New Chapter in Land Use
As with so much development in Penfield, these projects appear to utilize land that was once actively farmed, but has long lain fallow. The question of what to do with such lands weighs heavily on both property owners and the surrounding residents whose neighborhood are largely defined by their agricultural character.
Projects like these seem like a relatively low-impact way for land owners to sustain and monetize their property without the need to sell to developers who would seek to build higher density neighborhoods or commercial buildings. With typical lifespans of 20 - 30 years, solar arrays become a more consistent development than for-lease commercial space that may turn over tenants every 5 - 10 years.
These projects also seem to require much less alteration to the landscape, leaving open more cost-effective possibilities once the solar array does reach the end of its life. In the future, panels can be upgraded or removed with relative ease. It could even be converted to Agrivoltaics in a nod to the agricultural past.
Community Questions
In the last couple weeks, Preserve Penfield has received plenty of questions from residents regarding the details and potential impacts of these projects. There is plenty to understand, from site maintenance and the preparedness of emergency services to aesthetics and radio interference. Though we always welcome input and insight from our community, it must be said that the best way to get your questions answered would be to attend the public hearing to be held before the Planning Board this Thursday, June 12, 2025. The Board convenes at 6:30 PM at the Penfield Town Hall, 3100 Atlantic Avenue.
This is a public hearing open to all questions or comments from residents. These hearings typically begin with a presentation by the applicant which may address many questions right out of the gate. Resident concerns are noted by the Board on the public record, and may either be addressed by the board in later meetings or answered by the Board or applicant right on the spot.
As a reminder, this and all meetings of Penfield’s legal boards are broadcast live on Penfield TV for anyone who cannot or prefers not to attend in person. It is typical for the Planning Board to open phone lines for remote comments during hearings, and details would be provided by the Board during broadcast.
