Blair County Planning Commission members Thursday reviewed plans for construction of a solar energy facility in Taylor Township.

Pivot Energy plans a 3-megawatt AC ground-mounted solar energy facility of about 22 acres of fenced land off of Brubaker Road that will deliver locally produced, renewable energy to the regional electrical grid.

“The proposed Pivot Energy project on Brubaker Road in Taylor Township is needed because it diversifies Pennsylvania’s energy resources, and renewable energy projects like this one help stabilize long-term energy rates since they are not subject to increases in fuel costs,” said Marci Grossman, Pivot Energy spokeswoman. “Assuming the project is approved, we intend to start construction by quarter one of 2027.”

The proposed project has interconnection approval with Penelec. The solar array itself will have approximately 6,775 solar panels mounted on a single axis tracker to maximize energy production, said regional planner MacKenzie Caron.

The solar array will be set back at least 100 feet from all parcel boundaries and 25 feet from an abandoned utility right of way. An 8-foot-tall woven wire fence will enclose project infrastructure, including the solar array, equipment pad, transformer and switchgear.

Access to the project will be off Brubaker Road with a minimum 25-foot gravel operations and maintenance road built at the location of the existing driveway.

The deforestation of the land will likely change the overall stormwater runoff patterns at the site. Developers should ensure that whatever stormwater management is proposed at the site takes this into account to avoid flooding downstream properties.

Member Rodney Green said nearby Plum Creek is a class-one trout stream and could be impacted by the project. He also said he is concerned that residences in the Sharpsburg area will be surrounded by the project.

“We need some landscaping in the Sharpsburg area to block this off from the neighbors,” member Rodney Estep said.

Provided the township, with the aid of its professional engineer, conducts a thorough compliance review and the application meets ordinance requirements, the project should be able to proceed in a manner minimally impacting the community and consistent with the Alleghenies Ahead comprehensive plan, Caron said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.