Carver: Officials in the dark about solar

A committee formed to write local rules for solar energy development in Carver finds itself split after meeting for the first time.

The panel is divided over how severely such projects can be restricted in the largely-rural town.

Members discussed a proposal to restrict solar installations to industrial zoning districts, but could not come to an agreement.

Carver’s town planner says the problem with that restriction is that those areas are already too occupied.

The committee will meet again this week to see whether it can reach agreement before next Monday’s special Town Meeting on whether to support, oppose, or amend the proposal, which is now a petition article.

Where to allow solar projects is an important issue for Carver because town planners have already approved four projects, and more are expected as cranberry growers look for new uses for their land.