The North Carolina town of Woodlawn rejected a proposal by the Strata Solar Company to build a farm near the town after locals expressed serious opposition.

At a community meeting opposition was raised to the idea of a solar plant because it would “suck up all the energy from the sun” in the words of local man Bobby Mann, reported the local paper.

"You’re killing your town,” he said. “All the young people are going to move out,” Mr Mann said.

Another local woman named Jane Mann who was identified as a retired school teacher expressed genuine fears plants in the area would not get enough sunlight to perform photosynthesis if the solar project was approved.

She also said no one had proved solar panels didn’t cause cancer.

“I want to know what’s going to happen,” she said. “I want information. Enough is enough. I don’t see the profit for the town.

“People come with hidden agendas,” she said. “Until we can find if anything is going to damage this community, we shouldn’t sign any paper.”

The council voted 3-1 against the proposal and then agreed to place a moratorium on future farms.