June 24, 2024

Solar energy is common in Virginia, and for good reasons: it’s renewable and affordable.  

Recently, local leaders had a firsthand look at the benefits of solar power when they visited Billy Hunter, an eastern Virginia landowner and farmer, on whose land Pine Gate Renewables’ Stratford Solar is located.  

Mr. Hunter’s farm has 100 acres dedicated to power generation and the remaining acreage continues the family tradition. The revenue generated from the solar facility allows the family to keep the family farm legacy for generations to come. 

The tour provided officials with direct visibility into a solar site and a better understanding of how solar panels generate renewable energy. The attendees also saw how the site has been carefully integrated into the landscape, with buffers and stormwater control measures in place to protect the environment.  

These buffers, consisting of multiple rows of both deciduous and evergreen trees, are a model for the industry. They were installed by a local contractor and are maintained on an ongoing basis.  

But the story of Stratford Solar goes beyond watts and panels. The land itself has a deep history rooted in family and agriculture. Billy Hunter was raised on this land, where his family has farmed for generations. His grandfather, Carndley Wakeman Hunter, purchased the first 108 acres of the property in the mid-1930s, transforming it from wooded land into a working farm.  

Prior to the family’s purchase of the land, it was used as a dairy farm. Previously there was a small house on the land where Carndley and his family lived until they could build their own home. They harvested timber from the farm and carried it into town by horse and buggy to be cut into boards, which they used to build their two-story farmhouse.  

When Billy’s dad passed away, Billy purchased a farm next door to continue the tradition of farming. He says, “growing up on a farm is something I will always remember; it was hard work but rewarding at the same time.” Billy remembers his childhood days spent helping with chores, catching goats for interested buyers, and enjoying the bounty of the farm, including home-smoked meats from the family smokehouse.   

Seeing his grandchildren run around the farm reminds him of himself and he hopes to one day leave his legacy to his daughter Tracy H. Boykin, son-in-law Chase Boykin and his two grandchildren Collin and Waverly, so they can continue the family tradition.   

Michael Smith (far right), Regional Manager for ACT Power, fields questions about facility operation and maintenance.

Billy shared, “Keeping the farm in the family is, and remains, a priority. A farm is more than just a business; it’s a legacy. It’s something that can be passed down from generation to generation, providing a livelihood and a way of life for years to come. I want to ensure that my grandchildren and even great grandchildren can continue in the family tradition of farming if they choose. By adding solar onsite, I can better diversify my retirement and help ensure that our family legacy can continue for generations to come.” 

The visit to Stratford Solar was a positive experience for everyone involved. Attendees were impressed with the responsible development of the site and were able to see the potential of solar energy, and Billy Hunter felt secure knowing that his family’s legacy is being preserved for future generations.  

The story of Stratford Solar serves as a reminder that progress can go hand-in-hand with tradition. By harnessing the power of the sun, the Hunter family is not only preserving their farm for future generations, but also powering the future of their community.