DEVELOPMENT/CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
At Element Power, we realize landowners often have many questions about how a solar project is developed, built and operated, and how it may affect their other activities on the land. Click on the link below for a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About Solar Energy Projects.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY
What type of technology will be used for Element Power’s solar projects?
We intend to install ground-mounted, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on either fixed tilt or tracking systems. PV technology is rapidly evolving and we will select the equipment that ensures reliable operation and optimizes the project’s economics when it is ready for construction.
How much money will the site generate every year for the landowner?
A solar photovoltaic (PV) project is land intensive, meaning much of the ground at the project site will be covered with solar panels. Since the land can’t be used for agriculture or another use simultaneously, many landowners prefer to sell their land to the solar project, so purchasing the land for the project site is often the best option. In other situations, landowners prefer to retain a long term ownership, in which case Element Power leases the land and pays rent based on the number of acres used during the life of the project. Potential income to the landowner depends on the value of the site in terms of solar resource, access to the grid, local power prices and real estate market conditions.
Can the solar plant produce power when the sun is not shining?
Solar projects can only generate electricity during daylight hours. Even when there is daytime fog or cloud cover, PV panels will generate small amounts of electricity, but at night, the system doesn’t operate. However, demand for electricity is low at night because businesses are closed and people are generally asleep.
How much water will the plant need for operations and will I be able to keep my water rights?
One of the many benefits of PV technology is that it requires very little water, especially when compared to fossil-fueled and solar thermal projects. To maintain peak efficiency, it is necessary to clean the panels periodically to remove any accumulated dust. The cleaning frequency depends on site conditions: nearby sources of dust, amount of rain, etc. Generally, 10 acres of PV panels will require 10,000-15,000 gallons per year for panel cleaning. Yes, each landowner retains their water rights.
How long will it take to develop the site?
There are several pacing items largely outside our control that dictate the pace of development such as permitting (this can range from a few months to several years), interconnection to the electrical grid (this can range from about a year to several years) and finding a buyer and negotiating a contract to sell the power (the timeline for power sales varies greatly by region).
How long will the panels last?
The panels will last approximately 20 years, but we expect the panels to last longer, as there are panels still operating today that were produced more than 30 years ago.
How many houses will the site power?
Each megawatt (MW) of solar power provides enough power for 150 to 250 houses. The exact number depends on the solar resource at the site and the type of equipment used.
What is the impact to the land?
Element Power will work to ensure that the land is being used most efficiently for solar energy. Typically, this means utilizing as much of the land as possible for the panels. Of course, environmental considerations are taken into account when siting the facility. Additionally, the site will be graded to level, trenches will be dug for cables, piers will be installed, and roads will be graveled between each row of panels.
Can I still use my land surrounding the facility?
Yes. There are very few restrictions on the uses of the surrounding land. We typically like to have a setback from the panel itself of 2 times the height of the equipment. The main issues we are concerned with in terms of adjacent land uses are building tall structures that would cast shadows over the panels and activities that would create unusually high levels of dust that would reduce the panels’ output.
Who builds the project and what is the impact during construction to the surrounding community?
An experienced solar energy contractor will be used for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC). Local firms may be hired for certain parts of the construction process, such as earthwork, landscaping, and perhaps some electrical tasks. A typical 10 MW facility will temporarily employ approximately 75 people. The construction process will take 6-8 months.
What does a PV system look like?
Does the system make noise?
Very little. The inverters and transformers make a low humming sound equivalent to less than 50 (dB) of noise, or about the same sound level as is typical inside a house.
What is the difference between PV and other solar energy technologies?
PV panels use crystalline silicon or thin film technology to convert sunlight into electricity directly. These panels are mounted into arrays which are linked to a substation to feed power to the grid. Element Power is pursuing PV rather than other solar technologies for several key reasons, including:
- PV requires no water to operate (other than for periodic cleaning of the panels) whereas most solar thermal technologies require substantial amounts of water.
- The price of PV modules has been dropping rapidly
in recent years and this trend is expected to continue.
- Permitting PV projects is more streamlined and rapid.
- Unlike solar thermal, PV projects are very scalable. In other words, they can be built in multiple phases and at almost any number of MW.
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