How are property values for nearby homes and businesses affected
At this early stage of the utility scale solar power industry in New Zealand there is understandably concerns that properties nearby solar power farms could lose their value mainly due to the visual element of solar farms.
Before granting solar developers resource consent the local council will assess the developers plan to mitigate visual effects they might have to neighbouring properties and the passersby. Visual mitigation is normally planting of vegetation.
The solar arrays are generally no higher than 3 meters. While planting can help eliminate most visibility of the solar panels, there may be raised vantage points where planting can not mitigate the view of the solar farm.
As more solar power comes online, there will be less need for other more visibility intrusive power plants such as wind, geothermal and hydroelectricity.
