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Solar Panels Bring Heat In Carver

CARVER (CBS) - Most everyone is in favor of renewable energy.

However, Chief Correspondent Joe Shortsleeve says some homeowners in southeastern Massachusetts are not happy about a proposed change in their neighborhood.

When Eric Tobolski bought his home in Carver on Leland Road in 2009 he was told someday there would be a picturesque cranberry bog outback. No more.

WBZ-TV's Joe Shortsleeve reports

Things have changed and now it is going to be a large field of solar panels.

"The way it is sited right now they have the inverter and transformer right behind where my daughter plays out back."

"The only thing we can do is try and get someone to listen to our concerns."

Plans submitted with the town now call for hundreds of solar panels and other energy equipment to be spread out across the seven acres. And someday soon the whole thing will be sold to a power company.

Jack Hunter is the Carver Town Planner.

"Solar panels are allowed by law. So we can take a look at it and make sure that it is done right but we really can not say no."

The owner of the land ... the man behind the solar panel project says he is doing everything well within the law. Barry McNeil says neighbors are all over-reacting. He also says projects like this have broad support from the state and federal government.

However, neighbor Mike McGourthy worries about the health effects on his disabled son.

The 23 year old boy is fitted with electronic medical implants which send signals to his brain. Mike fears an electro magnetic field might cause them to malfunction.

"I am fearful of what could happen to my children. It is the unknown of what could happen to their deep brain stimulators."

All of these residents fear the current political environment with green lights for green energy will change their neighborhood forever.

The owner of the proposed site for the solar panel field says he has plans which he says should address all of the neighbors concerns.

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