Residents often have questions when a solar project comes to their community. These topics – like technology, safety, and local benefits – are common and important. We're here to provide clear, honest answers so you can feel confident about what solar means for your area. Solar projects use conventional solar panels just like those installed on the roofs of homes and businesses. This well-established technology has been around for decades. When sunlight hits a solar panel, the electrons in the solar panel's semi-conducting material become energized and create an electric current. Everyone! The electricity from this solar project will go onto the local electrical grid that supplies power to the surrounding community. This is different from rooftop solar panels, which mostly deliver energy only to the building they're installed on. Yes, solar projects pay property taxes, or a payment to the local government in lieu of taxes each year. The additional property taxes are paid by the solar developer. Solar is cost-competitive with fossil fuels, even without subsidies or tax credits. For example, utility-scale solar costs about $60 per MWh of energy generated, which is less than coal and similar to natural gas. No. Solar projects provide more electricity for the local grid for everyone to use. They are a source of supply to keep up with increasing demand. Solar panels are made of glass, aluminum, silicon (refined sand), and semi-conducting material. The glass is designed to withstand hail and is tempered, like the windshield of cars, and therefore resists breakage. Solar panels contain very small amounts of some chemicals, but they are encased within the panel. There are no liquids in the panels. No. While inverters on the solar projects do emit electromagnetic fields (EMF), the levels at solar projects are comparable to, or lower than, those from common household appliances. In terms of EMF exposure, standing directly next to an inverter at a solar project is the same as using an electric can opener in your home. Solar panels do contain heavy metals such as lead or cadmium, however, the likelihood that these metals can leach from solar panels into the soil and water is remote. Modern solar panels are manufactured as sealed, laminated units designed for outdoor use over decades. One peer-reviewed study measured heavy metal concentrations in the soil at various distances from a solar project and found no increase in lead and cadmium concentrations in soil taken from under the panels compared to 45 feet and 100 feet away. Solar projects cause no air pollution, no water pollution, and generate no hazardous waste. Very little. Usually, rain and other precipitation is enough to clean the panels of accumulated dirt and dust, but occasionally they may be manually cleaned with water. No, solar projects generate electricity entirely from sunlight and connect directly to the local power lines. No pipeline of any kind is needed. The typical construction timeline for a project of this size is about 6 months but can be dependent on weather and external factors. At all times, construction will adhere to regulations set forth in the town code. It is assumed that standard construction activities will occur from 8am-6pm Mon.-Fri. Solar projects only see an increase in traffic during the construction period of the project. After the construction period, we anticipate 3 trips per month for operation and maintenance checks. The facility will not exceed ambient noise levels during operation. Yes. This site will be remotely monitored 24/7. In case of an unexpected outage or issue, an alert will go out to the appropriate team. An Emergency Services Plan will be provided to the town's safety departments prior to the start of construction. Local first responders will be provided with access and proper training specific to solar projects, if requested. In addition, warning and contact signs will be located along perimeter fencing in case of an emergency. Local first responders have codes to lock boxes, containing keys that provide access to the interior of the site in order to shut off the project and contain the burn to not spread outside the fence lines. Fires due to inverter failures are very rare; less than 0.1% of solar projects annually experience a fire. The solar developer and project owner is responsible for decommissioning the solar project. A bond is put up with the town to cover the cost of decommissioning, including expected inflation over the life of the project. In the unlikely event the project is abandoned, the town would be able to access the decommissioning bond (agreed upon prior to board approval) to fund all costs associated with decommissioning activities. Decommissioning bonds are negotiated and agreed upon by the solar developer and the municipality. Inflation and rising costs are accounted for in the decommissioning estimates. At any time, the town does have the right to seek out a third-party opinion to evaluate and audit the decommissioning bond provided by the solar developer. Anything recyclable will be recycled. Materials on site including fencing, racking, modules, and conduits can be recycled. Glass makes up most of the weight of a solar panel (about 75%) and can also be recycled. Other materials that are easily recyclable include aluminum frames, copper wiring, and plastic junction boxes. To learn more about how solar can benefit your community, visit Community Benefits | New Energy Equity for honest answers and local impact stories.1. What kind of technology do solar projects use to make electricity?
2. Who will use the electricity from this solar project?
3. Do solar projects pay taxes?
4. Isn't solar too expensive and requires subsidies?
5. Will a solar project near me increase my power prices?
6. What are solar panels made of?
7. Are there any risks or dangers living near a solar project?
8. Do solar projects produce any pollution?
9. Do solar projects use water?
10. Do solar projects require any pipelines?
11. How long does the construction phase last?
12. Is there increased traffic due to a solar project?
13. How loud is the project going to be during the day?
14. Will someone always be available in case of an emergency?
15. What happens if the solar project catches fire?
16. Who is responsible for decommissioning the solar project?
17. How can we be sure the decommissioning bond will be enough to cover the project's decommissioning costs by the end of its life?
18. When this project is removed, how will the materials be disposed of?
Solar Energy