Definitely! The change in the land use provides the locality with a new higher tax revenue source (solar projects are sited on land that generates relatively little tax revenue). Moreover, utility-scale solar projects create local construction jobs and increase demand for local businesses such as hotels and restaurants. Solar projects also create a number of long-term jobs for vegetation management, operations, and maintenance of the facility.

We will provide you with notice, so you have time to harvest crops before construction begins.

Yes! Not only will we remove the equipment, but unlike many other types of development, once decommissioned, the project area will be substantially restored to its pre-lease condition and ready for whatever new land use you choose. We understand how important the land is to many of our landowners, which is why we ensure that there will be no limits to what you can do with the land after the solar project is removed.

While this scenario is very unlikely, we want to assure you that you're covered. As part of our project development, we will issue a bond to you or the local government that can be called upon to cover decommissioning costs in the unlikely scenario that we cannot pay. This ensures that the system will be managed and maintained, regardless of our business status.

In order to finalize our project design, we have to do wetland delineation and other environmental and design studies. We also need to coordinate with the county, the department of environmental quality, and the utility company, which happens at a later stage and can affect the project’s final size.

No. To better protect the ground, solar panels are mounted on racking on metal posts. The panels do not leach any chemicals or discharge any fluids. In addition, we generally stabilize the ground throughout the project with native grass and pollinator mixes that are beneficial to the soil and surrounding environment.

None. There are no chemicals leached or liquids discharged. In addition, we will work with the department of environmental quality and the local governing body on our erosion and sediment control and stormwater permits to ensure best management practices during construction.

Not only do our projects not increase runoff, they are designed to actually improve soil and water quality. Stormwater management plans are required as part of the solar development process. These plans are prepared by professional engineers to ensure that projects do not contribute to erosion or flooding.

In most locations, vegetative buffers will restrict views of the solar arrays from outside the project boundaries.

The only major components of the solar project that are not silent are inverters, but the noise they emit is comparable to a commercial HVAC unit. There is generally no noise heard beyond 100ft from an inverter and we design our projects so that the inverters will be a sufficient distance from any residential property or dwelling. Also, the inverters are mostly inactive at night.

We hear you. We will use existing vegetation around the perimeter, where possible, for visual buffering. Where there is no vegetation, we will plan buffers to minimize visibility from public roads or residential properties.

The height varies based on soil, but usually they are not more than eight feet tall.

No! Solar farms do not pose any threat to wildlife. Wildlife studies are an important part of our development process — trained experts study proposed sites to ensure that utility-scale solar development reduces any impact to wildlife. Solar projects can also provide important habitats for birds and pollinators like bees and butterflies.