The Fredonia Board of Trustees has set public hearings on two proposed local laws concerning large-scale solar power projects.

The hearings will happen before the trustees’ next meeting Tuesday.

The first law would opt the village out of a New York State-backed provision that gives tax breaks for solar projects. The second law would regulate the installation and site placement of solar power arrays.

Village Mayor Michael Ferguson said he wants Fredonia to opt out of the tax break provision in order to bring in more revenue.

“If we don’t, we don’t qualify to get money from the solar companies,” he said. “By opting out of that, we then can charge solar companies for being on the property.”

The OBSERVER asked Ferguson what he thought were the key provisions of the proposed regulatory law. “The distance from homes is important,” he said, stating that every solar project will have to be at least 1,000 feet from any residence.

Ferguson mentioned there is also a section in the law requiring companies to clean up projects they want to abandon.

“The concerns on solar are the same as windmills, that companies will cut and run,” he said. “For the most part, that has changed, to become much more professional and reputable in the way they do business.”

Nevertheless, the law ensures that if solar companies want to leave, they must remove their equipment, he said.

The proposed law also contains requirements for ongoing maintenance of working solar arrays, he added.

“I believe it’s a safe alternative to many forms of energy and it’s another revenue generator for the community,” said Ferguson of solar energy.

The mayor added, “If we continue to find more sources of revenue, that slowly removes our dependency on taxes off the taxpayers’ back.”