20 acres in Hampton being plowed for a solar farm
HAMPTON — Earth-moving machines have begun scraping dirt around a site on Route 206 that is destined to become a 3.7 megawatt solar-powered electric generating plant.
Approved more than three years ago, the project lay dormant as the market for solar-generated electricity shook itself out and has now apparently stabilized, since the project, known as the Augusta Solar Farm, is one of at least two other solar projects under or near construction.
A project along Beaver Run Road in Lafayette has also recently begun and a second project being developed in Frankford by the same developer as the Augusta site, apparently is also nearing construction.
Scott Lewis, listed as the principal of Augusta Solar Farms, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
Officials at the Hampton Building Department said no building permit has been issued as yet for the Augusta Solar Farm site, located on Route 206 just north of Halsey Road. However, the earth-moving work does not require a building permit and can be done under the Planning Board’s approval given in May 2012.
