FAQ
Appearance
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Lightstar will consult with you throughout the development stage to ensure that the visual impact of the solar farm will be minimal. We specialize in incorporating natural screening such as trees and native plants to help mitigate any unwanted visual impacts. Solar farms are low-profile structures and typically do not pose a significant hindrance to visual sightlines.
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It is a ground-mounted framing system that is usually pile driven or ballasted depending on the soil. The framing system holds the solar modules in a series of lengths that are south or south east facing. Typically, the modules sit approximately 6 to 8 feet off the ground. Usually sited on an area of the parcel that can preserve or be integrated into the natural beauty of the area.
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No. The solar farm’s inverters will produce a very low decibel sound while operating during the day, however it will not be a noticeable disturbance. At night, the solar farm will not be producing power and thus does not produce any sound.
Development Process
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There is no cost burden for the landowner. Lightstar’s experienced team will be responsible for the entire development and construction process and all associated costs.
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Generally, for a 5 megawatt solar farm the development process, from permitting to operation, takes 12 months. However, the development timeline can vary depending on the utility company’s interconnection process and the local/municipal permitting and approval processes. In addition, seasonal considerations can impact the construction timeline, adding between 3 and 5 months, however Lightstar works to mitigate these extensions where possible.
Payment
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Lease rates are determined by many factors, such as the specific characteristics of the land. Solar hosts can expect a payment above the current rentable value of the land. Contact Lightstar to discuss your specific site and we can provide a preliminary lease amount estimate.
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Lease payments will be made quarterly and are fixed (with an annual escalator) for the life of the project. Regardless of system performance, the lease payments will occur as laid out in the agreement.
Term
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Typically, we will lease the land for 20 years, with the option to extend. The length of the lease term depends on the specific market or program.
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Yes. Landowners are free to use the portion of their land not sited with solar however they would like. For projects designed to accommodate dual-use, landowners are able to continue to farm the land in and around the solar array. To learn more about dual-use, please contact us.
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Lightstar will be responsible for removal of all equipment and infrastructure associated with the project. Lightstar will pay all costs associated with the decommissioning activity.
Health & Safety
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Lightstar uses crystalline-silicon solar panels that do not contain any liquids or chemicals. Therefore, there is no risk of hazardous materials leaking or leaching into the ground. In general, solar cells are laminated and sealed inside tempered glass, which is the same material used for car windshields and hurricane windows. The panels that Lightstar uses adhere to strict testing protocols established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), called the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), to ensure that solar panels, even if broken, do not release harmful amounts of any hazardous materials into the environment.
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Unlike other types of projects that produce energy, solar does not generate air emissions and is a clean, renewable source of energy. Low-level electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure from solar is no greater than standard household electrical equipment. Studies have shown that EMF levels measured at the perimeter of solar projects are negligible.
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More than 80% of solar panels and other solar equipment, such as inverters, can be recycled at one of the Solar Energy Industry Association-vetted recycling facilities in the U.S. Lightstar is committed to working with recycling vendors to properly handle the removal of panels during project decommissioning to the extent practicable. In addition, any panel damaged during construction or operation will be brought to U.S. recycling facilities for maximum material recovery.
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Solar projects do not generate a significant source of noise compared to ambient noise levels. Studies performed at Lightstar’s projects sites have shown that estimates of noise from inverters and transformers are far less than local noise thresholds. Furthermore, when inverters and transformers are not in use at night, there is no noise generated.
Land Use & Soil Protection
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There are several reasons why farmland is ideal for Lightstar’s solar projects:
• Solar is considered a temporary use, meaning it can be restored to agricultural use at the end of its useful life. Having a Lightstar community solar farm near your home not only provides clean, renewable energy to the community, it also protects farmland from being developed into more permanent uses such as residential and commercial development.
• Open, previously disturbed farmland is ideal for producing solar energy, while avoiding impacts to environmental resources such as forests, protected plants and animals, and water resources.
• Lightstar’s solar projects provide an additional revenue stream for landowners and farmers. Farm legacies are maintained by removing the financial pressure to sell land for permanent development.
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Enabling biodiverse vegetative ground cover under the solar panels is known to improve soil health by improving soil water retention from panel coverage and implementing measures to control erosion and sedimentation. Lightstar is required to develop and comply with a comprehensive stormwater plan for each of our projects, often called a “Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan” (SWPPP). These plans are regulated by the Federal Clean Water Act and administered and enforced by state and/or local agencies. Furthermore, the addition of pollinator plants can also improve local agricultural yield and support the surrounding ecology.
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Lightstar completes a thorough review of protected species habitat, sensitive environmental resources, and aquatic resources at the very early stages of project planning and development. Lightstar partners with experts who are familiar with environmental surveys, planning, and permitting and all of our projects are designed to avoid or minimize impacts to environmental resources to the maximum extent practicable. Furthermore, consultations with local, state, and federal agencies are completed. Any necessary permits are obtained and all required mitigation and best management practices are implemented.
Property Values
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Third-party independent real estate appraisals have shown that there is no quantifiable impact to property values near solar projects. A University of Texas study found that even at utility scale levels, the impact of solar on property values is approximately zero [1]. Another study by CohnReznick, which surveyed property appraisers, found that there was no detrimental effect on property values by a ground mounted solar array nearby [2]. Additionally, the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers compiled data from various studies, all with the conclusion that the perceived impact on property value is more negative than the reality, which is close to zero impact on property value [3].
Benefits
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It benefits the local community
• Allows community subscribers to purchase energy at a discounted rate.
• Doesn’t require installation of solar equipment on homes or businesses – therefore, the energy can be accessible to small businesses and those who own, rent, or live in multi-tenant residences.
• Provides tax revenue for towns, counties, and school districts through the PILOT program.
It benefits landowners
• Allows the land to be returned to its existing use at the end of the project life.
• Provides a steady stream of alternative income and offers an alternative to more permanent forms of development.
It benefits the planet
• Provides a source of clean, renewable energy – less pollution and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
• Environmentally friendly – Our projects incorporate native plants and grasses and pollinator-friendly plant species to the landscape and wildlife-friendly fencing.
Decommissioning
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At the end of a project’s useful life, the project will be fully decommissioned, and the land will be restored to its original use. Decommissioning Plans are prepared and submitted to local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) for review, comment, and approval prior to project construction. A bond is set for decommissioning costs to ensure that the project will be properly dismantled and removed at the end of the project life.
1 https://emp.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/property-value_impacts_near_utility-scale_solar_installations.pdf
2 https://www.nexteraenergyresources.com/content/dam/neer/us/en/pdf/CohnReznick%20Solar%20Impact%20Study_7.26.21.pdf
3 https://www.asfmra.org/blogs/asfmra-press/2021/02/16/solars-impact-on-land-values
