With ban overturned, county grants permit for solar farm

CURRITUCK, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina county that once banned solar farms has given a permit to a San Francisco-based alternative energy company after a lengthy court battle.

The Daily Advance of Elizabeth City reports the Currituck County commissioners granted the permit to Ecoplexus to build the farm on a former golf course near Grandy. The company won a ruling from the state Court of Appeals several months ago.

Company President Erik Stuebe says construction should start at the end of this year with completion expected by the middle of 2019.

The commission denied a permit to Ecoplexus in April 2016. In February 2017, the commission imposed an indefinite ban on solar farms after approving permits for two farms.

Opponents cited concerns about property values, drainage and a loss of farmland.

___

Information from: The Daily Advance, http://www.dailyadvance.com/