FAQ Solar Farms

Silicon-based PV cells are the most widespread solar photovoltaic technology used. Most solar panels have a glass front that protects the PV cell and an aluminium or steel frame. Research shows that “leaching of trace metals from panels is unlikely to occur due to the sealed nature of the installed cells.”

Solar panels will actually cool the vegetation underneath during the day due to shading and keep them warmer at night. Panels can provide farmers the ability to grow shade-tolerant crops and to diversify crop selection, while also extending growing seasons and reducing water requirements.

Sheep are commonly being used for grazing for vegetation control at solar facilities in Australia and around the world as sheep do not climb on or harm the panels.

Raising the PV panels in height is not necessary to accommodate grazing as vegetation is accessible beneath the panels at standard heights.

Cattle grazing is generally not compatible with PV facilities due to the risk of damage to panels. Sheep grazing to control vegetation growth can benefit local farmers, solar operators, and the land due to a reduction in mowing, herbicide and other vegetation management needs.

Yes. Depending upon the size of an individual project, we estimate a given project will include 75-125 planning, development, design, and construction jobs from the early stages of the project until it is commercially operational. Atria Energy prides itself on working with solar facility contractors that stress the importance of utilizing a local labour pool.

No – solar panels are designed to absorb the sun’s rays not to reflect them. There is a large number of solar facilities currently installed and operational at airports in Australia and around the world.

A common misconception is that residential property values are negatively impacted due to proximity to solar facilities. 

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The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has stated the following: 

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“While the impacts of a solar farm on neighbouring property values have not been studied in-depth, numerous studies found the impact of wind energy generation on neighbouring property values to be negligible. As solar farms do not have the same impacts as wind farms (i.e., PV facilities do not cast a shadow on neighbouring properties, cause light flicker, or have the same visual impact as wind farms), the impacts on property values caused by solar farms are anticipated to be less than the impacts of wind farms.

Some communities have opted for mitigation measures to reduce visual impacts of solar farms through the use of vegetative screening or decorative fencing, since PV panels are usually mounted close to the ground (less than seven feet high).”

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Some considerations regarding property value of homes near solar projects:

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• Traffic

 Solar facilities are not traffic generators as they are operated on average by 2 personne

• Noise

Solar facilities produce no noticeable noise.

• Light

Lighting will be limited as needed or required by code for safety, potentially at the site entrance or by inverter pads, typically none at all.

• Odor

Solar facilities do not produce odor.

• Environmental

Solar facilities do not produce toxic or hazardous waste or contain hazardous materials or substances.

 

Land can be reverted back to agricultural uses at the end of the operational life for solar installations. A life of a solar installation is roughly 30-35 years and can provide a recovery period, increasing the value of that land for agriculture in the future. Giving soil rest can also maintain soil quality and contribute to the biodiversity of agricultural land. Planting crops such as legumes underneath the solar installation can increase nutrient levels in the soil.

At the end of a solar project’s working life, expected to be at least 35 years, the land will be restored to its original state. Atria Energy project financials include decommissioning of panels and the entire solar power system at end of life.

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Decommissioning proceeds in reverse order after the installation:

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1. The solar facility is disconnected from the utility power grid.

2. Photovoltaic panels are disconnected, collected, and either shipped to another project, salvaged, or submitted to a collection or recycling program.

3. Electrical interconnection and distribution cables are removed and recycled off-site by an approved recycling facility.

4. Photovoltaic panel support H‐beams and aluminum racking are removed and recycled off‐site by an approved metals recycler.

5. Electrical and electronic devices, including transformers and inverters are removed and recycled off‐site by an approved recycler.

6. Concrete piles used for the inverter blocks are removed and recycled off‐site by a concrete recycler.

7. Fencing is removed and recycled off‐site by an approved recycler.

8. Any interior project roads, typically constructed of 4” aggregate base, can either remain onsite should the landowner choose to retain them, or be removed and the gravel repurposed either on‐or off‐site.

9. The Project site may be converted to its original condition including revegetation, or to other land uses in accordance with applicable land use regulations in effect at that time of decommissioning. There are no permanent changes to the site.