Lebanon Solar Farm Under Construction – Herald Publications

By Zachary Daum

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Construction began earlier this year on a new solar farm on the outskirts of Lebanon, with Pivot Energy working with St. Paul United Church of Christ. The 90-acre initiative is expected to be completed in late fall or early winter, marking a significant milestone in the community’s renewable energy push.

Mike Koebel, chairman of the St. Church board. Paul United Church of Christ, in a recent interview, detailed the beginnings and progress of the project. According to Koebel, the land for the solar farm was donated to the church by Harvey Pistor, a longtime member who left the property as a final donation. “Because we own the property, Pivot Energy had to operate through us,” Koebel explained. The company, known for developing smaller solar farms, typically 20 to 30 acres in size, found the location ideal due to its proximity to existing power lines that facilitate the direct flow of generated electricity into the local grid.

Pivot Energy approached the church with its proposal several years ago, starting a multi-year process that included obtaining a special use permit from the St. County Zoning Commission. Claire. This permit required public hearings where community members could express their opinions. Despite general support, there was one objection from a county board member concerned about the loss of potential space for commercial development. Koebel addressed the issue, stating, “No one from the Church has contacted us regarding commercial use of the land since we inherited it, and no commercial development is planned on the west side.”

Once operational, the solar farm is expected to provide Lebanese residents with reduced energy costs, potentially reducing their bills by up to 10%. This benefit is in line with Pivot Energy’s stated commitment to ensuring that renewable energy is accessible and affordable to local communities. The energy generated by the farm will be fed directly into the city’s power lines, ensuring seamless integration with existing infrastructure.

To solve aesthetic and environmental problems, the photovoltaic farm will be surrounded by a fence and shrubs, which will ensure its discretion and visual attractiveness. “They’re going to fence it off so that, you know, local people don’t notice,” Koebel mentioned. Maintenance tasks, including mowing, will be handled by Pivot Energy, which is also required under state law to post a bond ensuring final decommissioning and restoration of the facility to its original condition.

The successful completion of this project will not only contribute to local sustainability efforts, but will also set a precedent for future renewable energy initiatives in the region.

For the church, the project is a meaningful way to honor Harvey Pistor’s legacy while contributing to the community. Koebel reflected on the process, noting that while there are always lessons to be learned in hindsight, the overall experience was good. “Overall, it was a pretty good experience.”