A Lower Towamensing Township business has been granted permission to install solar panels on its property.

Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously agreed to grant a conditional use permit to AMPAL Inc., 2115 Little Gap Road, to place 10 solar arrays on the property.

The installation would take about two months to complete once the site work begins, as it’s a small scale accessory project.

Township solicitor Jim Nanovic asked if the solar field was going to be on the same property. The company said that it is.

Later in the meeting, resident Steve Meining lauded Danny Perez, general manager of AMPAL Inc., whom he said is an extremely professional person.

Meining added that he views AMPAL Inc. as one of the golden stars in the township, and urged the township to do anything it can to assist the company because it provides jobs with good salaries and benefits.

Attorney Peter Wertz told supervisors in June that they feel this accessory facility was not subject to land development, which he said is defined as two or more residential or nonresidential buildings.

Wertz said there are no buildings proposed, and added this is solely the panels themselves with accessory equipment.

He said at that time they were waiting submission of the zoning permit.

Township planning commission member Angela Farrell said at that time any commercial property is subject to consideration for land development.

Nanovic then asked if they had prepared any plans for the building permit.

Board Chairman Jay Mullikin told Wertz their conversation would likely be better served for the planning commission.

Wertz was then told the planning commission and the board of supervisors needed more details.

AMPAL Inc. is the largest producer of aluminum powder in the country.

In July 2025, the business announced a new production line that would be designed with capability for both nodular and spherical aluminum powder production was ready to begin.

United States Metal Powders Inc., founded in 1918, is a global leader in the production of aluminum powders with two production companies, AMPAL and Poudres Hermillon, SARL in La Tour-en-Maurieene, France.

AMPAL moved its production facility from Flemington, New Jersey, to its current location in 1982 and has been operating there for the last 43 years.

The company’s products are sold globally to a wide variety of end markets including aerospace & defense, chemicals, automotive, general industrial, consumer, building & construction, defense and energy.