Effort Solar’s conditional use hearing for the proposed solar panel farm near the intersection of Bear and Long Mountain roads continued Tuesday evening.

This was the fourth night of the hearing, with approximately 75 residents in attendance.

The hearing included Polk’s three supervisors and township solicitor, and a panel of five industry experts led by attorney Nate Fox, of the Obermayer law firm which is representing Effort Solar.

During the three-hour hearing, Fox questioned two members of his team seated next to him inside the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Department.

Chris Simmons, a Samsung development manager for reusable energy, spoke of the monocrystalline photovoltaic solar panels.

“The glass is made with silicon. There is a polymer back sheet. It is layered construction that doesn’t contain toxins. The equipment will not interfere with radio, television and cell phone signals,” Simmons said under oath.

At one point over the past several months, there was mention of using grazing animals inside the fenced area by the solar panels. However, that plan has changed.

“We are no longer considering this. Instead, we will hire a mowing company,” Simmons said.

Polk supervisor Michael Hurley asked if the road on the solar farm property would be plowed right away during a snowstorm, and Simmons said they would indeed hire a snowplow company.

Next up, Fox questioned Tom Katelhon, a civil engineer from Kimley-Horn, about his glare study analysis from 160 observation points around the property and as far as 500 feet from the panels.

“There would be no glints or glare that would cause eye damage if you look at it. There would be minimal after-image effect,” said Katelhon. “Plants or screenings could help reduce this minimal glare that would occur.”

Of course, this is all theoretical and based on a computer modeling program since there are no panels at the site yet. The study was for fixed panels that do not tilt or rotate. If the company chooses other panels that tilt or rotate, a new study will have to be done.

“We are designing everything we can. This is a multi-step, multi-agency process,” said Fox. “This is the very starting place to see if there’s permission to go to the next step.”

This proposed project is on about 205 acres of farmland and across from some 30 homes. Effort Solar chose this location because of its proximity to transmission lines.

Mark and Sara Martini are two of more than a dozen residents who are parties in this hearing and will be allowed to present evidence, make statements and call on witnesses at the next hearing on April 2 at 6 p.m. at the firehouse.

“Commercial solar doesn’t belong on farmlands. Put it where it belongs in industrial zoned areas,” said Mark Martini.

Another item of uncertainty is the location of the substation. Initially, the plan had it across from the solar farm but on the Chestnuthill Township side. After an ordinance change in October 2023, the substation would not be allowed here.

“We are still reviewing exactly where the substation will be. We have to comply with the zoning ordinance,” said Fox after the hearing ended.