Hurdle Mills Solar

Once plans are approved, the construction and installation process usually takes approximately 9-12 months to complete, depending on the size and scope of the project.

During construction, which is anticipated to take around 9 months, we anticipate approximately three large trucks visiting the site per day on average. Once constructed, the solar farm will require minimal attention. We anticipate one pick-up truck per week on average from our site maintenance crew.

Once operational, the solar project will emit virtually no noise. The equipment on site typically emits a maximum noise level below 50 decibel from 10 yards away, which is comparable to a typical conversation volume. At a distance of 30 feet, the sound of the inverter is about as loud as the sound produced by normal conversation (~65 decibels). At a distance of 500 feet, the noise is produces is inaudible (~40 decibels).

During construction, some construction noise is inevitable, similar to any other construction activity. We limit any potentially disruptive construction activity to normal working hours.

From the distance of your home, it’s unlikely you’ll hear any noise.

The project will adhere to required setbacks for your local community. Typically, they are:

• 100 feet from public right-of-ways
• 50 feet from property lines

With the solar equipment installed away from existing property lines and public access points, you shouldn’t be able to see the solar farm unless you go looking for it. We will also install a vegetative buffer to shield the project from view.

Solar farms have minimal-to-zero impact on the surrounding community in terms of glare. Solar panels are designed to absorb light rather than reflect it. Any glare present is comparable to the reflection from a still lake or pond. Panel positioning ensures this minimal glare is pointed upward and away from people and cars at ground level.

Once built, solar farms require little maintenance - you’ll hardly know it’s there! Our maintenance crew will check on the site sporadically throughout the year.

• Virtually self-sufficient
• Produces less traffic than the average multi-family home
• Environmentally-friendly grass and weed control
• Native plant and shrub buffers where applicable
• Continuous remote monitoring

Overall, the installation of more solar will have a stabilizing effect on all utility bills. More solar in a utility’s energy mix means more certain energy prices over a long-term period. This solar project will produce local energy that will be sold directly to the electric utility to add to their total generation mix.

As with all our projects, we look for suitable land that has close access to connect to the existing utility grid, and therefore provide clean energy to the local community. Our teams of experts have assessed that the electricity grid in this area has the capacity to collect and distribute the power generated from the solar project.

Yes, we have been developing solar projects since 2013 and currently operate 55 solar farms in 5 states, with dozens more in development.

Yes, solar panels are safe. The panels themselves are sealed and made mostly of everyday materials such as glass, sand, aluminum and copper. Other materials are very limited and sealed inside the panels. Numerous studies have proven them safe: solar.gwu.edu/do-solar-panels-contain-toxic-chemicals

Moreover, solar panels create electricity without any harmful emissions.

The solar project is also safe with various electrical fuses and switches to protect the project, the surrounding electricity network, and the environment from any short circuits or sparks. We enclose the solar farm with a locked fence to avoid any exposure to the public and only trained engineers are permitted to maintain the solar installation.

Solar projects are built to last and during this time, the underlying land will be undisturbed by humans, pesticides and other damaging factors to biodiversity. Over the many sites we have built we have found that biodiversity, pollinator habitats, small mammals, migrating birds, and soil health increase dramatically during the life of the solar project.

One panel is approximately 6’6 x 3’3 (2m x 1m).

Yes, we do engineering studies on stormwater and the effects of construction on drainage patterns. The NC Department of Environmental Quality reviews the studies and confirms the findings before issuing permits. The ground cover on solar projects is still pervious with approximately 98% of the site covered in native grasses. Most municipalities have a threshold for traditional development of 12-24% impervious surface before studies are required.

The equipment that is installed in a solar project is rigorously tested, and after 40 years will only introduce trace residue of zinc and steel, much less than the National Standard. The biodiversity of the underlying land will vastly improve over the life of the project.

Yes, there will be landscaping and fencing that will create a visual buffer and obscure the solar farm from public view. The landscaping is currently being designed in accordance with County regulations.

After the life span of a solar farm, it will be decommissioned. We will safely remove the modules and all project materials and restore the site to its previous condition.