Botetourt County officials delayed action Monday on a proposal for a 33‑acre solar facility off Route 220 in Fincastle after dozens of residents raised concerns about property values, local environment and where the power would be sold.

Botetourt County’s Planning Commission will consider a proposal Monday night to build a 5-megawatt solar facility on a 53.4-acre lot off of Roanoke Road in Fincastle. The agenda states, “33 acres of which will be leased by New Leaf Energy to construct and operate a solar energy facility.”

A 109-acre solar farm is one step closer to becoming a reality in the Union Hall area of Franklin County. The proposal was passed with a 5-2 vote, greenlighting the project.

Gray's LAMBscaping collaborates with Dominion Energy to employ sheep for landscape management at solar farms, enhancing rural economic growth and pioneering agrivoltaics in Southside.

A solar farm proposal is off the table in Franklin County.