Learning Center

Resources

Battery FAQs

General Questions

BESS is an acronym for Battery Energy Storage Systems, which are a grid-connected system of batteries that can quickly store and discharge large amounts of energy, enabling a more efficient and reliable electrical grid.
The grid is sized to meet peak demand, which typically occurs only a few hours a year. When growth in demand exceeds the grid’s capacity, costly investments must be made to upgrade the grid. BESS help avoid or defer these investments by meeting peak demand with stored energy.
BESS can supply power to the grid almost instantly. This makes them extremely valuable when power plants shut down unexpectedly and conventional back-up sources are much slower to provide substitute power.
Just like the other parts of the grid, such as transmission lines and substations, BESS are designed to be permanent.
Construction of a BESS will create scores of construction jobs, including many for skilled trades such as electrical work. Operations require only a few workers, but they are high-quality positions. Importantly, BESS can make meaningful contributions to the local tax base.
The risk is extremely small. BESS are housed in stout metal containers. Batteries are not exposed to liquids that could end up on the ground or in the water. Unlike lead-acid batteries used in millions of motor vehicles, the lithium in lithium-ion batteries is non-toxic. Very small amounts of other materials (such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese) must be properly managed, but regulations governing the transport of batteries make them safe.
Only a modest amount. The primary sources of sound are the inverters and the HVAC system. BESS typically can be sited and designed so that any noise is insignificant at the property boundary.
A failed or malfunctioning battery will be removed from the BESS and kept in temporary storage on-site until it is transported off-site to be reused, recycled or disposed of as required. For instance, batteries may be temporarily placed in a spill-proof container located at the BESS until they are transported off-site for recycling.
Batteries that no longer meet BESS requirements will be reused, recycled or disposed of in accordance with applicable requirements (not on site). The number of businesses that mechanically separate and re-process the materials in lithium-ion batteries is on the rise.
BESS have redundant and overlapping safety features to prevent, detect, and respond to fire. Past fires at BESS were due to poor design, inadequate safety controls, and weak training of first responders. The industry recently has adopted significant fire safety improvements, including a shift away from building-based systems, improved engineering oversight, quality-control during installation and robust and redundant data monitoring systems. Facility operators also now work closely with local first responders to provide robust training.
No. There are no emissions of air pollutants during the normal operation of a BESS.
Construction of a BESS will bring an increase in traffic near the site comparable to construction of a large commercial project, such as a “big box” store. Added traffic during operations is negligible.

Solar FAQs

General Questions

A solar project is a large group of solar panels installed on the ground that operate together as a power plant. Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic panels, or “PV”, generate electricity from sunlight. Many solar panels are installed on the roofs of houses and other buildings, directly powering just those buildings. A solar project, however, delivers large amounts of electricity to the existing high-voltage transmission system, which serves the entire region. The solar panels in many solar projects are fixed in a position tilted toward the sun (in North America, this is to the south). The low end of these panels is usually a few feet off the ground and the high end typically is about 10 feet off the ground. In some solar farms, the panels rotate slowly from east to west throughout the day, tracking the path of the sun.
Hear more from the Solar Energy Industry Association
Utility-scale solar has a unique opportunity at this moment in time to benefit state and local economies. The pipeline of utility-scale solar projects in the US is substantial and will bring billions of dollars in capital investment to the states hosting them in the coming years. Furthermore, utility-scale solar will bring thousands of jobs, stability for farmers, much needed revenue for rural communities, and of course - clean energy for residents.
Utility-scale solar projects are measured in “megawatts” of electricity. (A “megawatt” is equal to 1 million watts, enough to power about 300 homes.) From 5 to 8 acres of land is needed to generate each megawatt, so the total land needed for a 100 MW solar farm is about 500 to 800 acres. Usually several landowners host a single solar farm of this size, which can produce enough electricity to meet the needs of around 30,000 homes.
Solar projects operate for 30 to 40 years. At the end of that period, a landowner hosting one may want to reach a new arrangement under which the solar farm is “repowered” with newer technology, or the landowner may choose to have the solar farm removed. Solar farms require little or no concrete and are relatively easy to remove at the end of the useful life of the equipment. (Anything below a depth of 3 feet usually is left in place because it will not impede other uses.) After a solar farm is removed, the land can be returned to its prior use, such as farming.
Learn More About Research Regarding Solar Recycling
Learn More About “The True Land Footprint of Solar Energy”
Unlike other power plants, solar farms make excellent neighbors. Solar farms are entirely self-contained—they use no fuel and create no air or water pollution. Solar farms have few moving parts, make virtually no sound, and have no odor. Solar farms also have a low profile, about the same as corn fields just prior to harvest, and are screened using trees and pollinator habitats along roads and views from residences.
Determining whether a solar farm is appropriate for an area takes several years of exploration and negotiations with other parties. For large solar farms, it usually takes about 3 years to conduct a variety of studies, including investigations of the sunlight, the electric transmission system, soil conditions,and natural resources. The entire process can take an additional year or two, depending on a variety of factors, such as unexpected issues with the land, delays in working with the utility company and the time needed to obtain various permits.
During the study period, you can continue to use your land as it is currently being used with no effect on your current revenues. With the possible exception of the installation of a small instrument to measure sunlight, we would not occupy any of your land. We would occasionally need to access your land for studies and samples, but these visits would be brief and unobtrusive.

Technology

Solar modules have been in use for decades and are a safe, mature technology. Solar has been deployed on homes, schools, hospitals, and farms around the country. The modules have a 25-year production guarantee and are expected to last 40 years.
Solar projects use conventional photovoltaic 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.
The electricity from solar projects goes onto the high voltage electrical grid that supplies power to everyone. This is different from rooftop solar panels, which mostly deliver power only to the building they are installed on.

No. Solar projects require no water service, no sewer service, and no other taxpayer-supported services.
Depending on its size, a solar project will create 100-300 jobs during construction. After construction, a solar project creates a handful of well-paying, long-term jobs for running the facility.
Yes. Construction of solar projects increases local spending at hotels, restaurants, and gas stations. Land rent payments to participating landowners also provides them a stable longterm source of income. In addition, communities hosting solar projects typically receive large amounts of taxable income per year leading to better schools, public infrastructure, emergency resources, and community services.

Local Economy

No. Innovation and competition have dramatically reduced the cost of solar in recent years. In many areas, solar now costs the same or less than traditional fuel sources.
No. Not only are solar projects cost-effective, but they supply wholesale power, which does not directly affect your retail rates.
All types of power generation (including coal, gas, hydro and nuclear power) receive economic benefits from certain federal policy incentives, and solar is no exception.

Cost

No. Solar projects cause no air pollution, no water pollution, and generate no hazardous waste.
No. The fuel for solar projects is sunlight. It is infinite, free and,over long periods of time, highly predictable.
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.

Pollution & Natural Resources

No. Solar panels are one of the least intrusive and cleanest forms of power generation available. Access to solar project equipment will be restricted to maintenance personnel.
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 windshields 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. Most solar panels can be disposed of in regular landfills just like household garbage, but most will be recycled in the appropriate regional facilities.
All electric lines and equipment, including the lines to homes and businesses and home appliances, create EMF. Research to date has not found any link between EMF and health problems. To illustrate EMF on solar panels, you can hold a compass on a panel and it will still point north. Do the same against your cell phone and it will point all over.

Risks & Safety

Very little. In flat areas, little earth moving is needed for solar projects because the steel piles for the panels are installed directly through the topsoil.
Almost none. The steel piles for panels generally have no foundations and most other equipment is installed on gravel pads, prefabricated concrete, or metal skids. Fence posts usually have small foundations.
Much less than half. Solar panels are spaced apart to prevent shading and allow room for inspections and maintenance of equipment and maintenance of the grounds.
Solar projects are required to implement erosion and sediment controls during construction, and, prior to operation, they must satisfy a stormwater management permit that implements an approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan to protect the environment and neighbors.
Absolutely. A study by N.C. State University found that solar has only short-term impacts on productivity and is a “viable way to preserve land for potential future farming.”
Drain tile would be located and preserved during construction to the extent possible. When a solar project is decommissioned, any affected drain tile systems would be restored.

Land Use & Farming

Because they have very few moving parts, solar projects come close to operating silently. Some of the equipment makes small sounds but cannot be heard by neighbors.
Virtually none. Motion-activated and downward facing lights are located only at gates and at some equipment.
Solar panels are designed to absorb, not reflect, sunlight. In fact, they reflect much less light than glass or water. All but about 2% of the sunlight is absorbed and converted to electricity.
Virtually none. After construction is complete, a few workers in pick-up trucks will inspect and maintain the equipment, maintain vegetation, and occasionally may clean the panels with water.
No.

Impacts to Neighbors

Solar projects have very low profiles, follow the natural contour of the land, and can be effectively screened with rows of trees and large shrubs, especially in flat areas.
The “high ends” of solar panels usually are 8-12 feet from the ground and are surrounded by a fence at least 6 feet tall.
Yes. In flat areas, preserving any existing vegetation and planting a row of evergreen trees and large shrubs can greatly enhance the views near neighbors’ homes and along busy roads.

Appearance

Construction & Decommissioning

Construction of most solar projects takes roughly 12 months, which is much faster than traditional power sources.
After the productive life of the panels, which is 35-40 years, the solar project will be “decommissioned”, and the land returned to its current condition.
If an owner went bankrupt, it is very likely that a new owner would take over. Solar projects are expensive to build, but reliable and inexpensive to operate. So, there are strong incentives to continue a solar project’s operations.
A financial security, such as a bond, is required to ensure funds are always available for decommissioning and restoration of the land.