Sheep and Solar Panels Share Space in Baldwin County

Developers expect big changes for a quiet Alabama town when a new solar farm takes over thousands of acres. A company called Silicon Ranch plans to cover 2, 000 acres with solar panels and leave the rest untouched. They say the project will boost the local ecosystem while powering a massive data center for Meta. But nearby residents aren’t so sure. Local fishermen and nature lovers worry about the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, one of the most biologically rich areas in the country. The new panels will sit near three creeks that flow straight into the river. Will construction harm the water quality? Will animals lose their homes? These questions remain unanswered for many who live nearby.The solar farm’s owner insists it’s an environmental win. They claim 2, 500 acres will be set aside just to protect wetlands and wildlife. The plan also includes 260 megawatts of power—enough for over 200, 000 homes. That energy will mostly go to a nearby data center, a facility so big it cost $1. 5 billion to build. Some see this as progress. Others wonder if a small town should carry such a huge environmental risk.