LAKE COUNTY, Fla.,None — The proposed solar farm project facility in Lake County is back on schedule and may even double in size despite local homeowner's association opposition.
The facility owned by Blue Chip Energy would be along County Road 437 in Sorrento. Company officials say they're also cutting a deal to lease an additional 300 acres of adjoining property from the city of Eustis that would more than double the size of the solar farm.
In May, the Lake County Commission approved the plans of Blue Chip to build the state's largest solar farm. The community's HOA took the case to court.
But Blue Chip's Carlos Gonzalez said the suit was recently settled in the company's favor. Gonzalez said now that all the legal hurdles have finally been cleared, the company hopes to break ground by the end of the month.
Lake County residents say they aren’t happy about the progress.
Geri Stuckey and Debbie Fuesting said they love their lifestyle in the gated Lake County community of Sorrento Springs.
"I kind of like living in the country,” said Stuckey. “This is why we wanted to be out here. Because of our view--what we get to look at.”
Fuesting said the solar panel project is too close for comfort.
"We're just about four houses down … not too far,” said Fuesting.
Stuckey said her neighbors are also getting worried about 174,000 solar panels that are coming soon.
"If you've noticed, if you go up around the corner here, all the townhomes have been putting 'for sale' signs in their front yard," Stuckey said.
Blue Chip plans to sell the power it generates to progress energy. The company is investing more than $250 million and expects to create more than 500 construction and manufacturing jobs.
WFTV
