Question 1

Where will the power generated from the project go?

Accepted Answer

The power from Falling Waters Solar will be delivered into the local West Virginia electric grid, helping to diversify the state’s energy portfolio and increase local energy supply. Power generated by the project will be used by electrically proximate sources of demand. This means that it will serve both local demand, and may be transmitted elsewhere in the system when power is needed.

Question 2

What is the projected timeline for this project?

Accepted Answer

Falling Waters Solar anticipates submitting an application with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of West Virginia in late 2025. The permitting process takes approximately one-year to complete, so we anticipate receiving a decision by the PSC late 2026. Pending final site plans, construction may begin in 2027 with commercial operations to begin in 2028-2029.

Question 3

Why develop solar in the Falling Waters region?

Accepted Answer

The site selected for the Falling Waters Solar Project is in close proximity to a transmission line, which will transport power to the nearest source of demand. The site is also relatively flat with good solar production, allowing for solar to be an advantageous source of power to incorporate into the local transmission grid. Furthermore, the state of West Virginia has a goal of achieving 80% emission-free power by 2040, while increasing renewable energy production to over 70% by 2035. The Falling Waters Solar Project will assist the state in reaching those goals to help provide a more clean, renewable energy future.

Question 4

How will this project benefit the community?

Accepted Answer

Falling Waters Solar is proposing a walking path around the perimeter of the facility to support quality of life for the residents of the greater Falling Waters region. This walking path is still in the early stages of site design, but we will be working with the local Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the County to ensure this is a great resource for the community.

In addition, Falling Waters Solar will pay more than $10 million in property taxes over the life of the Project to Berkeley county and the school district.

Question 5

What does the regulatory process look like for Falling Waters Solar?

Accepted Answer

The Falling Waters Solar Project will be permitting through the Public Service Commission of West Virginia via the Solar Siting Certificate process. This process incorporates the input of various agencies on the federal, state, and local levels for environmental and economic matters, and allows for public comment periods to gather feedback from the local community. Once the Project has demonstrated compliance with applicable permits and agency consultations, the Public Service Commission of West Virginia will issue a Siting Certificate.

Question 6

What type of jobs will this provide?

Accepted Answer

The construction process consists of a variety of different stages – site preparations (ie. Civil work), pre-planting (generally native and pollinator-friendly plant species), and installing solar components (ie. Underground cabling, pilings, racking systems, inverters, substation, and fencing). These stages require a variety of different roles, such as site managers, project managers, engineers, heavy machine operators, general laborers, electricians, and more.

Question 7

How many jobs are anticipated during the construction phase?

Accepted Answer

The construction process consists of a variety of different stages – site preparations (i.e. civil work), pre-planting (generally native and pollinator-friendly plant species), and installing solar components (i.e. underground cabling, pilings, racking systems, inverters, substation, and fencing). These stages require a variety of different roles, such as site managers, project managers, engineers, heavy machine operators, general laborers, electricians, and more. Once the site is operative, it will require workers to maintain it and manage vegetation on an ongoing basis.

Question 8

Will roads be blocked during the construction phase?

Accepted Answer

The Project will work with the Division of Highways and local jurisdictions to map out a travel route for all construction equipment and workers. Proper signage will be posted around the site to minimize any conflicts with local traffic. Furthermore, construction crews will be cognizant of high-traffic hours, such as the beginning and end of the work and school day.

Question 9

What is the impact of the project on local roads?

Accepted Answer

The project will survey local roads prior to the start of construction and once construction has been completed, to identify any repairs to be completed at Falling Waters Solar Project's expense.

Question 10

What hours of the day and week will construction occur?

Accepted Answer

Typical construction occurs between 7am – 7pm throughout the typical work week.

Question 11

How long will construction take?

Accepted Answer

Construction will take approximately 12-18 months from start to commercial operations.

Question 12

Will inclement weather damage the panels?

Accepted Answer

Panels are capable of withstanding harsh weather like torrential rain, heavy snowfall, high winds, and hail. Engineering studies, as well as actual catastrophic events such as hurricanes, have shown that solar farms are able to hold up and continue producing energy.  In cases where panels are damaged, solar panels are made of solid materials, which are not soluble in water and therefore will not impact the soil or groundwater. Damaged panels will be replaced and recycled.

Question 13

Are solar panels toxic?

Accepted Answer

No. Falling Waters Solar will utilize photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, which are widely used in solar energy projects today. These panels are manufactured to meet rigorous safety and environmental standards. Solar panels do not pose a risk to public health or safety, and at the end of their lifespan, many components can be recycled as part of responsible decommissioning practices.

Question 14

Do solar panels leach chemicals into the ground?

Accepted Answer

PV solar panels are designed and built with solid, non-toxic materials confined between glass and a metal frame. When operated as intended, or in the rare instance when they fail or are damaged, they do not leach chemicals into the ground.

Question 15

What happens when it is cloudy outside?

Accepted Answer

Even on a cloudy day, solar panels produce between 10% and 25% of their typical output. Advanced tracking systems also enable solar panels to follow the sun throughout the day and maximize the amount of electricity generated.

Question 16

What is the fire risk of a utility-scale solar project?

Accepted Answer

The risk of fire in a large-scale solar project is incredibly low. The project contains sensors that are capable of detecting a fire that could be occurring in a specific section of the array. These sensors will immediately notify Operation and Maintenance team members, who then can power off the array. The solar energy facility and its equipment will be operated and monitored to ensure proper safety of the equipment. The Falling Waters Solar Project will have a safety and security plan that details fire protection and related education for local fire responders. The project will work with local fire and EMS departments to ensure their thorough understanding of the project’s low fire risk and proper response actions.

Question 17

Will the project emit any greenhouse gases?

Accepted Answer

No. Solar panels generate clean, renewable electricity and do not emit any greenhouse gases or other harmful emissions. This distinguishes solar energy from carbon-based electric generation, where carbon dioxide and other air pollutants are emitted as a biproduct of the generation process.

Question 18

Are property values impacted by the facility?

Accepted Answer

Studies show that large-scale solar power facilities economically benefit the community and generally do not decrease residential property resale values following proper design and visual/sound mitigation. The increase in tax revenue generated by the facility typically leads to stronger school funding, levelized taxes, the potential for better roads, stabilized funding for emergency services, and more. Additionally, buyers may view the solar facility as a safe, quiet neighbor.

Question 19

Do solar panels create glare?

Accepted Answer

Solar panels are designed to ensure minimal reflection as any reflected light is lost energy; therefore, the panels are designed with anti-reflective coating to absorb the maximum amount of light. Residents are unlikely to experience any glare from solar panels, but if they do it would be weaker glare than from a building's window.

As part of its permitting process, Falling Waters Solar will evaluate glint and glare with respect to everyday citizens and visitors. Further, the project will utilize single axis trackers, which allow the panels to track the sun as it moves across the sky and keep the panels perpendicular to the sun, minimizing the potential for glare.

Question 20

Will the project obstruct wildlife patterns within the project area?

Accepted Answer

The project will utilize wildlife-friendly fencing which will allow small animals, such as rabbits and reptiles, to go back and forth through the fencing. The project is not being sited on one contiguous square area of fenced ground. Rather, the project will be comprised of several fenced sections of ground connected underground to one another (will be more of a patchwork quilt of sections throughout the total area). Larger animals, such as deer, will be able to traverse through and around the total project area.

Question 21

Will Falling Waters Solar impact wildlife?

Accepted Answer

Impacts to local wildlife are expected to be minimal. Project environmental experts have been assessing the project footprint by conducting site-specific studies to understand and mitigate potential impacts on wildlife. The project will comply with all state and federal regulations associated with wildlife including requirements of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR). Small local wildlife will be able to come and go through wildlife friendly fencing, including rabbits and other small mammals as well as turtles and other small reptiles.

Question 22

Will stray voltage be a concern for livestock operations near the project?

Accepted Answer

No. Large-scale solar projects must follow strict electrical safety codes governing the design, construction, and operation of any project in West Virginia. With modern-day underground collection and transmission lines used in the construction of solar farms, stray voltage will not impact neighboring farms. On-site project staff will oversee the day-to-day operations of the solar farm to assure the site continues to follow all applicable codes and regulations. Additionally, Falling Waters Solar will comply with any stray voltage testing ordered.

Question 23

How is water run-off and drainage impacted?

Accepted Answer

Falling Waters Solar will file a plan that specifically addresses runoff both during construction and while the project is operating. In addition, the project will plant deep-rooted native vegetation beneath the solar panels and throughout the project footprint. Establishing native vegetation throughout the array will allow the ground to rest and build nutrient-rich soil. The well-rested, nutrient-filled soil will also help with erosion control and water runoff impacts in, near, and around the solar site.

Question 24

How will the project impact farmland and local agriculture?

Accepted Answer

Solar development and traditional agriculture can co-exist side-by-side, and increasingly are found together. Responsible solar development provides benefits to both agriculture and ecosystems by improving soil health, retaining water, nurturing native species, and supporting native pollinators which support local food production. In addition, solar farms help farmers and landowners diversify their income by providing a reliable, drought-resistant revenue stream. This steady income means that farmers are less vulnerable to fluctuations in market prices on their products, uncertain trade regimes, and volatile annual weather, thus helping farmers stay in business. Additionally, at the end of its useful life the project will be decommissioned, and the land will be available for all future potential uses, including traditional agriculture.

Question 25

Are the solar panels cleaned?

Accepted Answer

Solar panels are typically cleaned naturally through rainfall or snow melting from the face of the panels. O&M crew members will ensure panels are properly cleaned for efficiency and energy production purposes.

Question 26

What is typically involved in the decommissioning process of the solar plant?

Accepted Answer

As part of Falling Waters Solar Project’s lease agreements with landowners and as required by West Virginia state regulations, the project will be responsible for the removal of all equipment from leased land at the end of the project’s useful life. The removal of equipment and restoration of the host site is referred to as ‘decommissioning’.

A Decommissioning Plan will be submitted during permitting and updated periodically. This plan will detail the responsibility of the project to remove equipment and return land to a similar state as was present before the project was constructed. As part of the Decommissioning Plan, the project will agree to post a bond or similar financial surety to ensure the funds necessary to decommission are consistently available throughout the life of the project; this bond provides a financial guarantee that the project will bear the cost to decommission the project. The financial assurance will remain in place for the life of the project.

Question 27

Once solar panels are removed; can the land be used again for agriculture?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Falling Waters Solar Project will be located on private land under long term lease arrangements and at the end of the life of the project, the project will be decommissioned, and the land will be available again for farming. This is in stark contrast to other developments, such as commercial or industrial building projects, which often leave land unusable for agriculture again. During construction, native vegetation – often friendly to bees and other pollinators – will be planted. The deep roots of native vegetation retain more water than turf grass during heavy storms and periods of drought. They also retain topsoil and improve soil health over time.

Question 28

What happens to solar panels when the project is decommissioned?

Accepted Answer

Falling Waters Solar will submit a detailed decommissioning plan and financial assurance to cover all decommissioning costs. At the end of the project's operating life (35 years or more), panels will be removed from the site. Because solar panel production only degrades around 0.5% annually and up to 90% of the materials used in solar panels are recyclable, it's common for solar panels to lead a new life after decommissioning, and to ultimately be recycled.

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