Bulletin file photo A solar array at PV Powered in Bend in 2010. Solar farms are currently being considered on two swathes of land east of Bend city limits.

Two proposed solar farms east of Bend have drawn considerable attention from Deschutes County residents.

About 60 people packed a room at the Deschutes Services Center in Bend on Tuesday to learn more about the proposals.

Many voiced concerns about possible impacts to the landscape and whether the projects would be too industrial for the surrounding land use, which is zoned for farming.

Residents in favor of the solar farms cited the need to address climate change and an opportunity to use renewable energy to power Central Oregon homes.

The public meeting was held by a Deschutes County hearings officer who will decide whether to approve the projects in the coming weeks. The solar projects are an allowed use on farmland in Deschutes County, but require permit approval.

The solar farms are proposed on private property east of Bend city limits near the intersection of Neff and Erickson roads.

The two sites, which are north and south of Neff Road, would have the capacity to generate up to 87,600 megawatt hours a year if they could operate around the clock.

However, because full sunlight isn’t available 24 hours per day, the panels are expected to generate closer to 25,200 megawatt hours per year, about 62,400 megawatt hours less than full output.

Cypress Creek Renewables and Oregon Solar Land Holdings are the two companies seeking to develop the projects.

Each site would have about 45,000 solar panels on a combined 70 acres, according to Jason Carr, a spokesman for the companies.

Cathy Jensen, who lives next to the proposed northern site, submitted recommendations to the county asking for more screening of the fences and facility equipment.

“The proposed vegetative buffer and landscaping are not adequate to cover the fence,” Jensen said.

Jensen also suggested at the meeting Tuesday that the county require a minimum 100-foot setback from adjacent property lines and Neff Road. The companies plan to erect a 6-foot fence around the solar panels and wrap it in “earth-colored mesh.”

Jensen also asked that the scope of the project be dialed back.

“We suggest that the projects be reduced in size to minimize the effect on the lifestyle we currently enjoy,” she said.

Frank Izo, a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor who lives near the sites, said Tuesday he’s worried about possible glare from the solar panels affecting pilots. The Bend Airport is about 3 miles northwest of the proposed solar farms off Powell Butte Road.

“As a pilot, I’m really concerned about this,” Izo said. “I want to see a written opinion from the Federal Aviation Administration that these will not hurt any pilots with the glare it produces.”

Gary Miller, who lives in Bend and spoke Tuesday on behalf of the Central Oregon chapter of the Oregon Pilots Association, said he was concerned about the glare at first, but discussed the project with the companies and reviewed the development plans.

An analysis was commissioned by the solar companies to see if glare would be problem for pilots.

“We determined that this site plan as presently considered does not pose either a thermal issue or a solar issue to pilots,” Miller said.

Toby Bayard, of Bend, spoke in favor of the projects on Tuesday due to her concerns about climate change and the need for more solar energy.

“It’s really tough to look at this at an individual level,” Bayard said. “It has to be a government level, and local government is the place to start this. I’d like to see it happen in Deschutes County. We are sun rich, and it’s just a very good place to do this.”

Carr reiterated on Tuesday that the companies plan to sell the electricity generated from the solar panels locally. A Pacific Power substation is near the proposed sites.

He also added that the addition of solar energy to local energy resources helps maintain price levels and is likely to provide savings and a social benefit to low-income families.

— Reporter: 541-617-7820, tshorack@bendbulletin.com