Solar energy is simply the conversion of sunlight into useable energy in the form of electricity.  It is one of the main types of “renewable energy” and does not use fossil fuels.

A solar farm is a collection of ground-mounted solar panels on a parcel of land that allows the operator to efficiently use sunlight to produce renewable energy. By grouping panels together, more energy is produced at a lower cost than with other methods of energy production.

Generally described, solar “panels” are placed onto steel frames (called “racks”) that are driven into the ground so that very little land is disturbed.  These panels passively receive the sun’s light, which in turn causes electrons in the solar cells to move about.  This movement generates a direct current that is converted at the site to alternating current before being transferred to the electrical grid. There are zero fumes, emissions, or by-products.

Palladium was formed in 2019 by three industry leaders to develop and finance renewable energy projects. The company started with three projects located in North Carolina with contracted power purchase agreements with Duke Energy.

No, the facility fence line will be set back at least 25 feet adjoining properties and public right of ways and include a vegetative buffer. Unlike houses or other forms of traditional development, it will be completely dark and silent at night.

Yes.  There are several mechanisms through which the County can tax solar. This predictable, consistent, and long-term source of revenue is typically a significant increase over each property’s existing taxes.

In addition to the tax revenue solar farms generate, the facility’s construction will bring over one hundred construction jobs and an influx of business into the area, including to hotels, restaurants, equipment rentals, fencing, fuel and waste services.

The energy will be purchased via a long-term contract by the utility company. The energy will then be distributed to its customers.

Yes.  Despite a variety of misinformation on the internet, solar farms are very safe.  The EPA has extensively tested solar panels and concludes that they are completely safe.  Another common question asked relates to the electromagnetic fields, or EMF, generated by the solar farm inverters.  The amount of EMF exposure to a person on the outside of a solar farm is less than the person receives when inside his or her own home.  For more information on this, or any other topic, please reach out directly. Third parties, such as the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University, have numerous resources on solar farms.  One such paper can be found at https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/health-and-safety-impacts-of-solar-photovoltaics.

No.  The inverters are the only components of a solar farm that produce a noise.  When standing directly next to one you might hear a hum similar to an air conditioner.  From outside the facility, they are impossible to hear over ambient noises created by wind, birds, background traffic, etc.

The average solar farm generates one or two vehicle trips per month, as contrasted with an average single-family home that generates 9.52 vehicle trips per day (Institute of Transportation Engineers, Trip Generation Manual, 9^th ed.). One home (or a group of new homes, such as a new subdivision), on the other hand, would generate traffic and suburban noise in the form of lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and common noises created whenever people gather.

Solar farms do not emit any light and only operate during the day. There will be no lighting at night.  Additionally, the facility produces no odors.  In other words, you won’t be able to hear it, smell it, see it, or be aware of traffic generation.

Solar farms, because of their inherent size, can displace larger forms of wildlife like foxes, coyotes, and deer; however, the project has been designed to incorporate several wildlife corridors to allow larger animals to continue to traverse the area and utilize natural resources such as streams and wetlands. Underneath the panels, solar farms incorporate natural vegetation that covers approximately 98% of the site. Smaller animals have often been found to nest and live within the fence lines.  

Hundreds of studies have been done in numerous states by certified and licensed appraisers using industry-standard methods.  Many of the studies have been audited by independent appraisers.  These studies concluded that solar farms possess none of the characteristics that would cause harm to adjoining property values (noise, odor, light, traffic, etc.), and we are not aware of any studies that have found evidence of harm from existing facilities.

Solar farm construction will take approximately 9-12 months. A standard lease is 30 to 40 years.  Once the solar farm is no longer needed, it will be decommissioned according to state statute. Practically, they are taken apart by lifting out the panels, pulling up the steel posts holding the frames, and removing any underground cable. Once the solar farm has been dismantled, the land can be returned to its natural state. In other words, unlike a subdivision, the land can easily be returned to agriculture.  Virtually all parts of the facility are recyclable, being predominantly made of steel, aluminum, copper and silicon. All solar panels will be recycled as well.