Last month, Dominion Power’s rezoning request to install hundreds of acres of solar panels on farmland in central Fauquier County was given the green light by the Planning Commission and today a very successful small business is in jeopardy. Dominion wants to build solar panels on the grounds of what is now Shady Grove Hunting Preserve and Kennel under the trappings of “solar energy is a good thing” and “this will be good for Fauquier County.” The real truth is that this could destroy a viable and vibrant business in order to erect hundreds of acres of solar panels that will benefit no one: not the Dominion shareholders, not the users of Dominion’s power, and last but not least, certainly not the taxpaying citizens of Fauquier County. And they will be a hideous blight on the land. While it’s true that solar energy has made advances, even the best, most advanced technology still costs far more to produce than any possible cost savings to be had anywhere in this country, but especially in this state. Solar energy cannot be stored for peak periods like other energy forms and at best, even in a hot, sunny desert climate, is less than 30 percent efficient. Or in other words: at present, solar energy costs way more to produce than it generates. Further, the type of panels that would be installed are already obsolete. Dominion’s customers and you, the taxpayer, are the ones paying for this expensive experiment. While solar energy might one day be a worthwhile investment, that day is still a long way off and the taxpayers of Fauquier County and the rest of the state should not be forced to fund this outrageous waste of money. Sadly, this solar boondoggle would never have gotten to the point of the Dominion…