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Utility-scale solar projects generate enough homegrown electricity to power tens of thousands of homes, with no carbon emissions, for healthier air and a cleaner environment. Solar helps diversify our country’s energy mix, adding resilience and security to America’s energy infrastructure, reducing dependence on imported energy sources while driving down electricity costs. Since the “fuel” source — the sun — is free, unlike fossil fuel electricity generation, solar delivers long-term price stability along with affordability. A report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency in 2022 confirms that solar energy is now the cheapest source of power.

Solar energy is a vast and inexhaustible resource that can supply a significant portion of our electricity needs with low-cost, homegrown energy. In addition to being a vital source of renewable energy that is needed for our nation’s energy security, utility-scale solar power creates American jobs, drives innovation, and strengthens our economy. Today, utility-scale solar has a total capacity to power 22 million homes nationwide, and the solar industry employs more than 279,000 Americans across all 50 states.

In addition to job creation and low-cost energy supply, the land utilized for utility-scale solar is typically leased from farmers or other large landowners, providing them with a more diverse annual income. Solar projects also generate millions of dollars in additional tax revenue for local and regional governments over the life of the projects.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generate power by converting photons from sunlight to electrons, creating an electrical direct current (DC) like a battery. The DC power goes through an inverter to convert the DC power to alternating current (AC) power, which is needed to deliver electricity to homes and businesses. From there, the electricity produced by the solar project flows into the local electric grid at a utility connection point, exactly the same as a fossil fuel electric plant — powering homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals.

Both silicon-based and thin-film solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are made up of the following materials:

• Glass (76 – 89%)
• Plastic (4 – 10%)
• Aluminum (6 – 8%)
• Silicon (0 – 5%)
• Other metals (1%)

By weight, more than 80% of a typical solar panel is glass and aluminum — both common and easy-to-recycle materials. Recycling of solar panels is a standard for most solar project owners, including Arevon, both if damaged during installation or operations and at the end of the facility’s useful life.

The current national average of homes powered by 1 megawatt of solar is 172 U.S. homes. That means a typical 100 megawatt utility-scale solar project would power 17,200 average U.S. homes. Today, solar energy is powering more than 36 million households and growing every day.

Solar panels are mounted on racking that sits on posts — those posts take up less than 5% of the land. The rows of solar panels, from post to post are typically 20 to 25 feet apart. This leaves significant open space under the panels, in the rows, and in buffer areas.

The racking is equipped with “smart” solar trackers that slowly and quietly rotate throughout the day, following the sun to maximize solar energy production. These smart trackers serve other important purposes, too — they help protect solar panels from hailstorms, high winds, and buildup of snow.

The size of solar panels themselves vary, depending on manufacturer. Commercial solar panels are typically around 4 feet wide and 7 feet in height. A solar project is configured in blocks of panels, mounted on racking. Once mounted on the racking, solar panels move during the day, rotating slowly east to west to follow the sun. Therefore, the height off the ground varies throughout the day and ranges from 4 to 12 feet, reaching a maximum height not much higher than a field of corn.

Depending on the local climate, plants can grow well under and around the solar panels. In fact, more than 90% of a solar project is available land since solar panels are mounted on racking that sits atop posts — and those posts only take up about 5% of the land. That available land can be planted with vegetation that improves the soil, increases biodiversity, and attracts birds, butterflies, honeybees, and other small wildlife.

Solar projects are a good fit for communities. Solar projects have a low profile, are enclosed by fencing with landscaping for screening as needed, and are silent, odorless, and attract minimal traffic. Plantings under and around panels can improve soil and water quality and create wildlife habitat.

Solar projects have minimal water needs. Due to normal precipitation during operations, cleaning of the solar panels may never be needed for the life of a solar project or may be needed just a few times per year. Minimal water may be needed on-site for use by an operations and maintenance building or staff; this usage would either connect to an on-site water source through appropriate local permits or bring in water.

In fact, due to their low water requirement, solar projects typically save the equivalent amount of water that would have been needed by conventional generation sources to produce the same amount of energy capacity. In farm areas with low water supply or water-use restrictions, the installation of a solar project can free up water use for other nearby farms.

Absolutely. Photovoltaic solar energy projects have a lifecycle emissions footprint 95% lower than a coal fired power plant, according to a recent report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Or said differently, coal-fired electricity generation has more than 20 times the greenhouse gas emissions of solar. And natural gas generation has more than 10 times the emissions over the full lifecycle.

Lifecycle carbon footprint includes material manufacturing, construction, electricity generation, dismantling, and recycling.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) generated electricity is less expensive. The increase in competitiveness of solar in the last two decades has been dramatic. In 2010, solar was more expensive than fossil fuel-fired electricity, but by 2022, solar cost 29% less than the cheapest fossil fuel-fired solution. Technology advancements and improvements in manufacturing methods continue to reduce the cost of electricity generation from solar in the future.

The fossil fuel price crisis of 2022 was a telling reminder of the powerful economic benefits that renewable power can provide in terms of energy security. In 2022, the renewable power deployed globally since 2000 saved an estimated $521 billion in fuel costs in the electricity sector.

Solar panels work on cloudy and rainy days but not always at their peak performance. Their efficiency depends on the level of cloud coverage.

Solar panels generate electricity year-round, even on the coldest days. Solar panels absorb energy from the sun’s light, not its heat. Additionally, solar equipment works very efficiently in cold weather.

Solar projects are designed to mitigate snow buildup on solar panels. Solar panels are mounted on smart trackers that tilt the panels in order to follow the sun during the day, to maximize solar energy production. These smart trackers serve other important purposes, too — they help protect solar panels from hailstorms, high winds — and they prevent buildup of snow on solar panels. Moreover, even under a blanket of snow, solar panels warm up in sunlight, quickly melting any snow accumulation.

Solar panels are built to last in harsh environments. They are capable of withstanding most harsh weather elements such as hail, ice buildup, snow load, torrential rain, and strong winds. As is the case with anything, there are exceptions that do occasionally occur. In the unlikely event that solar panels do receive storm damage, Arevon’s solar projects are fully insured, and replacement of compromised panels would be initiated to reestablish full project operations as quickly as possible.

Solar panels are mounted on intelligent trackers that tilt to follow the sun throughout the day, optimizing energy production. These trackers also play a crucial role in protecting the panels from hailstorms. When a hailstorm is imminent, Arevon can quickly adjust the trackers to a higher tilt angle, helping to deflect hail and minimize damage.

It is standard practice to maintain the site’s general appearance and be good neighbors to the community. Landscaping maintenance is one type of job that a solar project creates locally.

There are no proven health risks from solar projects, and many homeowners commonly have solar panels installed on their residences. In fact, solar projects have a positive benefit on air quality. Solar projects generate clean, renewable power with zero air emissions and often replace older and less efficient fossil fuel-based sources of power that have significant air emissions. Recent studies have found that this is delivering concrete health benefits and avoiding premature mortalities attributed to air pollution.

Solar panels are made of materials like glass, aluminum, copper, and semiconductors commonly found in household appliances and technology. In addition, the layers of a solar panel are strongly laminated, and all materials are sealed inside tempered glass, the same material as car windshields and hurricane windows.

Arevon further requires all solar panels installed at our projects to pass strict testing protocols established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that the solar panels, even if broken, do not release harmful amounts of any hazardous materials into the environment. The EPA testing protocol is called the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure.

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) from solar are no more impactful than EMF from home appliances. Solar panels themselves generate electricity in DC power, so there is no detectable EMF, and multiple studies have measured EMF at the perimeter of a solar facility to be negligible.

In fact, we are all exposed to EMF throughout our daily lives. All electric lines and equipment, including the lines to homes, businesses, and home appliances, create EMF. Since the 1970s, some have expressed concern over potential health consequences of EMF from electricity, but no studies have ever shown this EMF to cause health problems.

Solar projects make very little noise and are quiet neighbors. Sound at a solar project is limited to inverters and the transformer, which cannot be heard past the project boundaries. In addition, Arevon adheres to any local regulations about noise levels and will conduct sound modeling to confirm our projects meet these requirements.

Any heat created by a solar project is much less than what is created by urban areas, dissipates quickly, and cannot be measured 100 feet away according to a study from the University of Maryland. Additionally, planting of ground cover provides a cooling effect and mitigates temperature increases.

Solar panels are designed to absorb, not reflect, sunlight, and they reflect less light than glass or water. Regardless, when required by the Federal Aviation Administration, a study will be completed to confirm that there will be no interference with aircraft.

Arevon begins the process of developing a solar project with extensive vetting. We conduct site, environmental, and cultural studies; confirm access to transmission lines; and get to know the community to provide factual information and ensure residents’ questions are answered. We also welcome input to inform our final site designs and improve our projects for communities. After finalizing our studies and engineering designs and obtaining the proper permits, we prepare for construction.

Solar projects are made up of the following building blocks:

• Steel posts, called piles, are driven directly into the ground in order to support racking and solar panels. The piles take up less than 5% of the total land, and there are no concrete foundations.
• Racking and trackers are fastened atop the piles. Height from ground to racking is about 4 to 6 feet, depending on the size of the solar panels.
• Solar panels which generate direct current (DC) power from sunlight are attached to the racking.
• Inverters convert DC power to alternating current (AC) power, along with a medium-voltage transformer that allows the AC power to be combined and travel to a substation.
• A substation is the main point of connection to the existing grid. A substation is a fenced facility owned and operated by a utility.

Prior to the start of construction, the Arevon team works with state and county agencies (as appropriate) to develop a detailed plan of the expected transportation routes in order to minimize traffic disruption in the area. During operations, there should be no increase in local traffic.

During construction, a project’s construction contractor is required to implement a dust control plan, which typically includes keeping any dirt damp by bringing in trucks to spray water.

Additionally, where practicable Arevon works to seed our solar sites prior to start of construction. The practice of pre-seeding assists with dust suppression.

Prior to the start of construction, the Arevon team works with state and county agencies (as appropriate) to develop a detailed plan of the expected transportation routes, the anticipated number of trucks, and maximum truck weights. The plan documents the existing condition of the roadways. If road damage occurs, it will be repaired to its original or an improved condition.

By weight, more than 80% of a typical solar panel is glass and aluminum — both common and easy-to-recycle materials. The Solar Energy Industries Association has created a national solar panel recycling member-based program that aggregates and vets the services offered by recycling vendors in the U.S. These partners are capable of recycling solar panels, inverters, and other related equipment today.

Arevon is committed to recycling solar panels at our solar projects versus disposing in a landfill. That includes panels damaged during construction and operations as well as panels at the end of life and decommissioning. In addition, we use recycling facilities that are vetted by the Solar Energy Industries Association to ensure that the panels will be processed at the most environmentally responsible U.S. facilities that strive for maximum material recovery.

Arevon submits a full decommissioning plan for a solar project, adhering to any applicable state or local jurisdiction requirements and policies. The plan ensures that the solar equipment will be dismantled, removed, and recycled at the end of its life and that the land can return to agricultural activities or another use as landowners decide.

Steps to achieve this include:

• Removal of primary components of the facility including modules, trackers, foundations, steel piles, and electric cabling and conduit as dictated by the local jurisdiction or laws.
• Removal of internal access roads unless requested to be left in place by landowner.
• Repair of public roads damaged or modified during decommissioning process and in compliance with applicable road use agreements.
• Restoration and revegetation of any disturbed land.

The costs of decommissioning do not fall upon the community or landowners, rather they are the responsibility of the project owner. While costs vary by region and project size, third-party engineering estimates forecast that the salvage value of solar panels, racking, steel posts, and copper wiring can exceed the costs of equipment removal and land restoration. In some cases, a letter of credit or bond is put in place to ensure the availability of future decommissioning costs.

Solar does not pose a significant risk to loss of land. In fact, solar projects temporarily set aside land and protect it from permanent loss due to industrialization and urbanization.

The entire U.S. could be powered by utility-scale solar occupying just 0.6% of the nation’s land mass, according to research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which is roughly the same area currently used for surface coal mining.

There are several reasons why farmland can be ideal for solar projects:

• Farmland is previously disturbed land, meaning the impacts of solar on the land are greatly minimized.
• Leasing a portion of their land for solar provides more diversified revenue for landowners and generations of their families. It also contributes to the economics of their farming business — providing a steady stream of income that enables them to continue farming on their other land and keeps the land in the family during hard economic times. In the future, at the end of the project life, the land can be returned to farming.
• Solar protects farmland in the long term from urban sprawl and industrialization. According to the American Farmland Trust, America loses 2,000 acres of farmland to low-density, inefficient urban sprawl each day. This kind of development is permanent, unlike solar where the land can be returned to farming at the end of the life of the project.
• Roughly 40% of all corn grown in the country is refined into ethanol and not used for feeding people, which is approximately 40 million acres (1.6% of the nation’s land). If this land were repurposed with solar power, it could provide around three and a half times the electricity needs of the United States.

Limited water is needed to produce solar energy. Solar projects conserve millions of gallons of water every year as well as improve air quality for communities, mitigating the health effects of harmful air pollutants from fossil fuel energy generation.

All solar project developers are required to develop and comply with a comprehensive stormwater plan, called a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP must include measures to control erosion and sedimentation. These plans are regulated by the Federal Clean Water Act and administered and enforced by state and local agencies.

Solar projects can actually help mitigate runoff and erosion as compared to the land’s previous use. For example, in areas where solar projects are located on prior farmland, they reduce sediment runoff by converting tilled row crop acreage to permanent vegetation under and around the solar panels that help retain water.

Where practicable, Arevon works to seed our solar sites prior to start of construction. The practice of pre-seeding assists with soil and vegetation stabilization, along with weed suppression and stormwater management, prior to and during construction.

Post-construction, Arevon creates vegetation plans that establish groundcover that aids in holding stormwater and reducing erosion.

Solar projects do not increase runoff, erosion, or flooding. In fact, they often help mitigate these issues.  All solar project developers are required to develop and comply with a comprehensive stormwater plan, called a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP must include measures to control erosion and sedimentation. These plans are regulated by the Federal Clean Water Act and administered and enforced by state and local agencies

Solar projects inherently lend themselves to habitat enhancement and conservation initiatives since more than 90% of a project is protected land under and around the solar panels that is not used by solar infrastructure. Independent studies have demonstrated that operational solar projects have the potential to bring about increases in wildlife populations as they provide secure sites with little disturbance from humans for decades. A recent study has shown that solar projects can increase biodiversity on previously disturbed land in just a few years with the use of habitat-friendly restoration.

Arevon works with ecological experts to perform environmental studies for each of our projects, including any requirements by local and state jurisdictions.

Arevon develops solar projects in a manner that conserves important habitats and species. The National Audubon Society strongly supports properly sited solar power as a renewable energy source helping reduce the threats posed to birds from air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels.

Utility-scale solar arrays in rural settings have minimal impact on the value of adjacent properties, based on multiple analyses examining property value in states across the country. Proximity to solar projects has been proven to not deter the sales of agricultural or residential properties. These conclusions are confirmed by numerous county assessors who saw firsthand the lack of impacts in their respective counties.

Additionally, the increase in local tax revenue generated by a solar project typically leads to stronger school funding, levelized taxes, the potential for better roads, stabilized funding for emergency services, and more.

Solar projects support local labor and domestic supply chains. A solar project will create direct on-site construction jobs for 12 to 18 months, which also helps support local restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. In addition, solar projects support domestic manufacturing as there are currently solar manufacturing facilities in 43 states. Just in the last two years, the clean energy industry has announced 161 new manufacturing facilities or facility expansions across the U.S. that will create 80,000 more manufacturing jobs for Americans with tens of billions of dollars in new investment.

Post-construction, solar projects create local, competitive-wage operations and maintenance jobs, with multi-million-dollar operations budgets that are spent in the region, where possible.

A utility-scale solar project employs 100 to 400 workers to perform a wide range of construction activities. Solar project construction work typically includes the following positions: electricians, mechanical installers, equipment operators (e.g., backhoe and bulldozer), pile-driver operators, construction managers, crew leads, forepersons, laborers, and logistics coordinators.

Solar projects have many opportunities for entry-level individuals — with two years of experience or less — doing mechanical assembly, electrical wiring, dirt-grading and basic spotting for a forklift operator, or other general labor. A project’s engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor will provide on-the-job training, but to qualify for these jobs, entry-level workers typically need to know how to use basic hand and power tools, or handle basic wiring, and be prepared to work outside. On-the-job training along with certifications and available apprenticeship programs can additionally boost the ability for entry-level workers to gain long-term construction career skills.

Utility-scale battery energy storage systems, also referred to as grid-scale, store energy in rechargeable batteries, and then discharge the energy into the grid at a later time when most needed — to meet peak electricity demand, provide reliable electricity delivery during adverse weather when the grid is under stress, or prevent costly and dangerous power outages. Without energy storage, electricity must be produced and consumed at exactly the same time. Utility-scale energy storage systems allow electricity to be stored and then efficiently discharged into the grid — responding quickly at the most strategic and vital times and locations.

Energy storage brings a number of benefits to customers, communities, and the grid:

• Minimization of power outages: Energy storage increases grid flexibility and helps provide uninterrupted power for consumers, businesses, and other users — including during extreme weather events.
• Electricity cost reduction: Storing energy when electricity prices are low and then discharging when demand is high increases supply during peak periods which helps lower peak energy prices.
• Grid resiliency: Energy storage enhances reliability, ensuring the seamless delivery of electricity to consumers and businesses especially when they need it most.
• Increased viability of affordable clean energy: Energy storage enables powering the grid using low-cost renewables, such as solar, even when the sun is not shining.
• Local economic support: Energy storage projects boost local economies and broaden tax bases. U.S. utility-scale energy storage projects deliver more than $580 million annually to local communities in the form of tax revenue and land lease payments. The rapidly growing industry currently supports more than 75,000 jobs through development, construction, and maintenance of energy storage facilities.

Energy storage systems are technology and fuel agnostic. Battery storage can be charged by renewable energy sources or can be charged directly from the grid. Electricity from the grid can be generated by any number of technologies, including renewables like solar as well as oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear power. However, energy storage is particularly useful in enabling more renewable energy on to the grid as it can direct that energy to high demand periods, regardless of whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing.

Energy storage systems connected to the electrical grid are housed in specially engineered shipping containers, outdoor-rated cabinets, or purpose-built buildings. The overall project footprint will depend on the size of the energy storage project. Generally, energy storage systems have a high energy density, meaning that they take up minimum space relative to the amount of power they release.

Energy storage enhances grid reliability by making power accessible when needed. Energy storage can serve as a dependable power source in extreme weather events, during periods of peak energy demand, or in the case of equipment failures. These systems match power supply and demand, making the grid more resilient and efficient.

Utility-scale energy storage reduces electricity costs by:

• Preventing or reducing the risk of blackouts or brownouts by increasing peak power supply and by serving as backup power.
• Supporting the integration of more low-cost, homegrown renewable energy generation that is now the cheapest source of electricity.
• Helping the grid adjust to fluctuations in demand and supply, which optimizes grid efficiency, alleviates transmission congestion, and increases grid flexibility. This reduces overall system costs.
• Limiting our nation’s exposure to volatile fuel costs or the need for costly energy imports.

Energy storage systems are beneficial for communities because of a whole range of benefits they generate. They support energy independence by reducing local reliance on traditional fossil fuels and imported fuel sources to be reduced, and they also make the power grid more efficient and stable, protecting it from malfunctions or blackouts.

Energy storage improves energy security and maximizes the use of low-cost, homegrown renewable electricity produced in the U.S. Energy storage also directly supports local economies. U.S. utility-scale energy storage projects deliver more than $580 million annually to local communities in the form of tax revenue and land lease payments. The rapidly growing industry currently supports more than 75,000 jobs through development, construction, and maintenance of energy storage facilities.

Battery systems are measured in both capacity as well as duration. Power capacity is the maximum amount of electric power an energy storage system can charge or deliver in megawatts (MW), while duration is how long it can do so in hours. A megawatt hour (MWh) is typically the unit used to describe the amount of energy a battery can store, in megawatts multiplied by hours. For instance, an 800 MWh battery system with a maximum capacity of 200 MW can deliver 200 MW for 4 hours, which can power up to 150,000 homes.

Energy storage facilities are located in urban centers as well as rural and remote areas, but typically are located in areas of the transmission system that can efficiently utilize additional peak power supply. These operating energy storage projects, wherever they are located, provide valuable services to the electrical grid in communities across the country.

There are currently hundreds of utility-scale energy storage projects operating and in construction throughout the entire U.S., including in extremes of arctic and desert environments, each tailored for the unique setting, community, and function it serves.

Battery storage facilities are quiet when operating. There are few moving parts, and the equipment is housed in a container that muffles any sound. In addition, Arevon conducts analyses of the maximum sound levels emitted from the systems and ensures compliance with all applicable requirements.

Safety is a top priority at Arevon, and our track record proves it. We have been operating energy storage facilities in U.S. communities since 2021 with zero fire incidents.

Arevon’s safety-first approach includes state-of-the-art Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery technology, which is orders of magnitude safer than previously employed Lithium-Ion chemistries. We partner with industry leading LFP battery suppliers who manufacture the safest and most advanced battery technology available today. Since LFP batteries were introduced in 2019, there have been no reported fire incidents associated with LFP battery energy storage systems. In the unlikely event an incident occurs, the battery systems are built to confine and self-extinguish a fire within their containers.

Additionally, our battery storage systems contain protection and control features, including a battery management system that shuts down when operational environments are anything less than optimal. Battery energy storage systems are equipped with sensors that track battery temperatures and enable storage facilities to turn off batteries if they get too hot or cold. There are multiple redundancies built in, and the Arevon team works closely with the local fire marshal and permitting authorities to ensure all safety precautions are taken.

Like all electrical infrastructure, utility-scale battery energy storage systems are highly regulated, with rigorous codes and standards developed by international, U.S., and local experts. Utility-scale batteries that deliver energy into the grid must be certified and go through extensive testing before being deployed, with requirements far beyond those for most commercially available batteries used for consumer applications.

At Arevon, we design, construct, and operate our energy storage systems in accordance with all relevant national and international standards and procedures, proven to keep our sites safe. These include the International Fire Code (IFC), International Building Code (IBC), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). 

Arevon considers the implementation of several safety measures above and beyond existing regulations, including but not limited to:

• Locating battery systems outside in steel containers.
• Air quality monitoring sensors along site perimeters which record data in real-time to confirm safe conditions.
• Onsite infrared cameras as additional safeguard against temperature exceedances.
• Regular emergency response training for local fire departments.

Arevon uses state-of-the-art Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery technology, which is orders of magnitude safer than previously employed Lithium-Ion technologies.

Battery energy storage systems are monitored 24/7. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is a control system that enables monitoring of the battery energy storage system. SCADA focuses on real-time monitoring, control, and data acquisition of the battery itself and works in tandem with the energy management system (EMS) which takes a broader view, optimizing the operation of the entire power system, including the battery energy storage system, to ensure efficient and reliable energy management.

Batteries typically have a lifespan of at least 20 years; however, depending on usage, the batteries may still have usable capacity or a second life after 20 years.

Energy storage batteries can and will be recycled. Arevon is committed to reusing and recycling as much of our materials as possible, at the end of our projects and throughout their lifespan.