HYDE PARK – The Town of
Hyde Park now has a local law on the books to regulate solar farms.
The new measure deals with solar installations of all sizes from small
residential to large commercial, said Town Supervisor Aileen Rohr.
“Small systems for homes and businesses will be allowed throughout
the town subject to simple rules, then the large solar farms are allowed
in the rural parts of the town and they will be subject to regulations
that preserve both the aesthetics and character of our rural areas,”
she said.
A second new law provides for payments in lieu of taxes for large commercial
solar installations. The state exempts solar power systems from property
taxation by default, but towns may choose to participate in that exemption.
Rohr said the town board wanted to maintain the incentive for homeowners
and businesses to adopt solar but believed that commercial systems should
contribute to the tax base like other commercial entities.
