Story Archive

The Light of Day

When Strata Solar Company wanted to build a solar-electric generation farm along a highway in Woodland, N.C., locals came out against it in force to express “distrust and fear of the solar panels.” Even though the site was ideal since it’s near an existing electrical substation, local Jane Mann, a retired science teacher, said that solar panels interrupt photosynthesis in plants — and plants near solar panels turn brown. Plus, she’s worried panels cause cancer. Indeed, interjected her husband, Bobby Mann, solar farms would suck up all the energy from the sun. “You’re killing your town,” he said. It was apparently enough to convince the Woodland Town Council: it not only rejected the proposal, they voted for a moratorium on any future solar farms. (RC/Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald) ...In other news, all of Jane Mann’s former students have had their diplomas revoked.