MANCHESTER – State officials have approved a Lake Street solar facility that has proved controversial among some neighbors.

The Connecticut Siting Council approved a petition from North Haven-based solar developer Greenskies Clean Energy to build a 1.2-megawatt solar photovoltaic electric generating facility at 81 and 93 Lake St., two largely vacant agricultural properties totaling close to 30 acres.

The project consists of two separate but connected solar arrays, with a 750-kilowatt facility on 93 Lake St. and a 450-kilowatt facility on 81 Lake St. taking up a total footprint of 6.3 acres with a combined 2,136 modules.

The original petition filed by Greenskies in August billed the facility as providing “multiple benefits” to the town, state, and region through production of renewable energy, and the Siting Council’s decision echoes that sentiment.

The draft decision and order, dated March 27, states that the Siting Council finds there is a “public benefit” for the construction of the facility and that it would not have a “substantial adverse environmental effect,” and that the council will therefore issue a declaratory ruling for the proposed facility.

The Siting Council’s draft opinion, dated March 27, states that pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes, the council has “exclusive jurisdiction” over the facility proposed by Greenskies and shall approve by declaratory ruling any such project as long as it “meets the air and water quality standards of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Council does not find a substantial adverse environmental effect.”

The opinion states that the proposed facilities would be remotely monitored on a 24/7 basis and comply with relevant building, electrical, and fire protection codes, and Greenskies would work with local emergency responders and file an emergency response plan. Noise generation and air quality would comply with state standards, and DEEP would need to issue a stormwater permit prior to construction.

The opinion further states that Greenskies has expressed a willingness to install landscape plantings and implement best management practices for stormwater in response to neighborhood concerns about visibility of the facility and water quality.

Members of the Siting Council approved approved the plan in a 7-0 vote Thursday, with one member recusing themselves. Few spoke about the project in detail during the meeting, though one member briefly discussed his issues with the plan.

Bill Syme said the proposal from Greenskies was not “one of (his) favorites” due to prime farmland being taken out of production, but that he could foresee minimal impact to neighbors and the environment.

Khristine Hall said she was happy that a condition for a post-construction noise study was included, though noted it is typical for the Siting Council to do so.

“Even though the host parcel owner was not concerned about the noise, which may be above the noise limits, I think it’s important to have that study and see what the compliance is once the facility is started,” Hall said.

Chance Carter thanked staff members for working on the documents, and said he was pleased to see that the approval requires Greenskies to work with the town’s fire department to ensure emergency services can reach the site.

This article originally published at Siting Council approves Manchester solar project on nearly 30 acres.