Two New Meetings Discussing Solar Panel Farm Ordinances in Presque Isle and Alpena

The Little Trout Solar Farm in Presque Isle County, Michigan is making significant progress. Managed by DTE, the project began construction in April 2024 and involves installing 343,000 solar panels across 800 acres. “The expected tax revenue from this project will be in the neighborhood of $20 million over the lifespan of this solar farm project, which will benefit the entire community,” Presque Isle County Commissioner John Chappa said. Many neighbors and community members disagree when asked about the current progress of the first solar panel farms being constructed in northeast Michigan. “It’s been a mess and they’ve been working here all summer, and you can’t even sleep in your house because they’re pounding and making noise all morning and day long. They just ruined the land, it’s totally ruined,” Presque Isle County resident Larry Altman said. “Well, our value of our house is going to go down, and they said if you wanted to sell your place, who’s going to buy it? Because nobody wants to look out of their windows and see solar panels out in the field,” said Altman.

There are many concerns residents have and many unanswered questions. “We should get our water tested about every six months because the panels there, they’re toxic. Where does that stuff go? Goes in the ground and it gets in our water and our well, you don’t know it until all of a sudden you get sick and then, well, it’s from the solar panels. And is it going into this Swan River? It ends up in Lake Huron,” Altman Said. With township meetings coming up to discuss ordinances having to do with solar panel farms and Presque Isle Township on September 3 at 6 p.m. and Green Township in Lachine (Alpena County) on August 26 at 7 p.m. Community members may want to be involved with how decisions are being made. “I was always receptive to the solar leases because I believe we need to green up our world, our community and I’m actually proud to be part of this project. Presque Isle County is actually going to be on board with helping to decarbonize our electric grid,” added Chappa