Thorn Lake Solar 159-acre project not moving ahead

Google map view of Sharon Hollow Road and Herman Road intersection, which would have been the site of Thorn Lake Solar.

by Sara Swanson

AES, the company behind the 159-acre Thorn Lake Solar project in Manchester Township, has announced that the project is not going ahead after all.

The project was a hot-button topic in the community in 2022, with residents getting heated on both sides. It was initially rejected by the township planning commission, then allowed to proceed after AES appealed in court.

In the end what put a halt to the project was the state of our power grid. Jayne Hickey, who was serving as media relations lead for Thorn Lake Solar explained, “The project is unable to be developed as permitted due to transmission interconnection costs. Solar remains one of the most cost-effective energy sources, but the need for significant regional power grid upgrades greatly affects all forms of energy projects’ feasibility.”

With Thorn Lake falling through, the community is losing out on an estimated $460,000 in property taxes for the first year and an estimated $5.7 million over the lifetime of the project, 150 short-term construction projects, four long-term operational jobs, and grazing contracts for local farmers with sheep.

Hickey stated, “We recognize the impact that new project development has on the community, and we truly appreciate Manchester Township’s engagement throughout this process.”

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.