LIPA's plan to build a solar electric plant in Manorville is being met with opposition.

As News 12 has reported, LIPA approved 11 solar projects in Calverton, Manorville, East Shoreham, Medford, Yaphank and Kings Park as part of its plan to increase renewable energy options. The utility also rejected a plan to build a $1 billion-$1.5 billion wind farm off the coast of Montauk, citing cost as a major problem.

Dick Amper, of the Pine Barrens Society, says the site proposed in Manorville is state-protected Pine Barrens region.

"This site is in the core preservation area of the protected Pine Barrens, used for recharging ground water, and habitat," Amper told News 12. "What was LIPA thinking when it proposed an industrial project in the core area of the Pine Barrens?"

LIPA approved Community Energy LLC to plan more than 67,000 solar panels on the Manorville sod farm by 2016.

Mark Seratoff, who heads the Townline Association that represents residents in Kings Park, Commack, East Northport and Fort Salonga, is welcoming the solar panel plan.

"It's a win for everybody. The community, the developer, LIPA, the environment..." said Seratoff.

However, residents have already filed a lawsuit against the proposed Shoreham solar energy site in state court.

In a statement Wednesday night at its trustees meeting, LIPA stated all sites are subject to final approval saying, "Once satisfactory terms and conditions have been negotiated and the project has completed state environmental quality review, each contract shall be brought to the LIPA Board of Trustees for approval."