Please forward taxID/Parcel #, name on tax record, County and approximate acreage to Erika Hoffman ehoffman@southerncurrentllc.com we will review and let you know if your property can be considered for a solar project within 5-10 business days
What is a solar farm?
A solar farm is a site that hosts a certain quantity of ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar panels in order to generate electricity. A solar farm can range from 10+ acres to 700+ acres. Small solar farms typically generate between 2 and 10 megawatts (MWh) of solar energy.
Is my land suitable for a solar farm?
We consider 25+ contiguous acres of land as having the potential for a solar farm development. We will evaluate the property for compatibility with utility infrastructure and proximity to a power station. Our land assessments take into consideration concerns such as environmental contamination, agricultural impact, wetlands, as well as protected plant, and wildlife. We note the topography of the land, avoid any wetlands, and streams, and attempt to leave as much existing vegetation in place as possible. We discuss future plans for the land with the landowners and site our solar farms accordingly.
Who is responsible for a solar farm?
Southern Current is responsible for all development costs, assessment costs, and environmental studies associated with the development of the project. The Tenant is responsible for increases in related property taxes, and ongoing maintenance costs, throughout the term of the lease. Once the lease has ended, the Tenant is responsible for removing all equipment and PV modules from the solar farm as well as any associated costs.
How does a solar farm affect property value?
Southern Current is committed to developing projects that take the integrity of an area into consideration. This is why we work with professional appraisers in each state to evaluate any current or potential impact. It is a common misconception that ground mounted solar farms decrease nearby property values. Examining property values in states across the United States demonstrates that large scale solar arrays have no measurable negative impact on the value of adjacent properties, and in some cases may even have positive effects. In addition, proximity to solar farms does not deter the sales of agricultural or residential land. Overall, solar farms are compatible with residential and agricultural land.
How visible will the solar farm be?
Solar farms have a low profile by nature of their design and Southern Current makes every effort to keep as much of the existing vegetation surrounding the project as possible. We are also committed to seeking community input on the best way to integrate the solar farm into the existing landscape.
Does a solar farm produce a lot of sound?
No. The solar farm will produce a quiet, consistent hum during the day, but the sound will not be heard outside the fence line. At night, the solar farm will not be active and will not produce any sound.
The facility’s transformers and inverters produce a sound when operating during peak production hours typically between 10am-2pm. At 150 feet, this sound is inaudible above natural ambient noise in rural areas. The sound created by the inverter during peak power production is typically in the range of 65 decibels at a distance of 30 feet: the equivalent of the sound created during normal conversation. The rest of the facility’s equipment does not produce any audible sound.
How much will I get paid?
It depends on the property, utility requirement, and the rate the utility will pay for the energy produced. Every state is different and within every state, each utility is different, ranging from investor owned utilities (IOUs such as Duke and Dominion) to Cooperatives.
How long does it take to develop and build a solar farm?
Every timeline for development is unique depending on the project and can last from two years to multiple years. In order for a solar farm to reach construction, numerous processes both internally and externally must come together with approvals, including environmental studies, land use reviews, detailed technical designs, and utility approvals. Our project development timelines are also affected by federal and state level policy decisions. Once the construction process of your solar farm begins, we estimate the build phase to take between 2 to 10 months, depending on the size of the project.
Who handles the municipal permits and fees?
Our experienced, local team will handle any permits required, and Southern Current LLC is responsible for any fees associated with those permits.
How are solar farms maintained?
Once constructed, solar farms require very little maintenance. The Tenant will service the inverters and transformers as well as mow and weed the land. Our goal is to minimize impacts by planting landscape buffers where necessary and incorporating feedback from nearby landowners in the site plan.
What is “responsible development”?
Southern Current works to engage with local officials and community stakeholders for their input throughout our entire development process. We take community feedback into account in planning how to integrate a solar farm into the surrounding landscape.
Does a solar farm benefit local communities?
Solar farms provide a valuable source of investment as well as local revenue for communities. For example, during construction, solar farms help to generate local construction jobs and economic activity for area businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and hardware stores. The increase in the value of the property generates increased property tax revenue, which is paid by the Tenant, and is an economic benefit to the local town and county. For example, data collected in NC on taxes collected in the year before and after a solar project was built represent a nearly 2,000 percent overall increase in local tax revenues in NC; (RTI International, Economic Impact Analysis of Clean Energy Development in North Carolina – 2019 Update. May 2019).
Who is responsible for the decommissioning of the solar farm?
The Tenant is fully responsible for decommissioning and removal of all equipment above grade. The decommissioning process is outlined in detail in the lease agreement between the landowner and Tenant. At the end of the lease term the land can be repurposed for agriculture or other uses.
Is solar compatible with agriculture?
Yes. Solar farms can operate safely without any impact to neighboring agricultural properties. The solar modules are installed on pile driven metal racking systems. During operation, the land rests and rebuilds, leaving soils aerated with new layers of topsoil. At the end of the solar farm’s useful life, the equipment is removed and the site can be used for agriculture or timber or whatever the highest and best use of the property may be determined at that time by the landowner.