Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are solar panels dangerous to my health?
A: No. Solar panels produce no emissions and are primarily made from common materials like silicon, aluminum, and glass.
Q: Will solar panels contaminate our water or soil?
A: No. Solar panels are sealed units built with multiple laminated layers and encased in durable tempered glass - materials similar to those used in car windshields or cell phone screens. Solar panels meet rigorous federal safety standards, ensuring they remain environmentally safe, even in the event of breakage.
Q: How do solar farms prevent harmful glare?
A: Modern solar panels are designed with anti-reflective coatings to absorb light, not reflect it. They actually create significantly less glare than windows or wet pavement.
Q: Do solar farms impact local temperature?
A: Solar panels have a minimal effect on local temperatures. They are designed to efficiently dissipate heat, and when paired with vegetation planted around the site, they can even contribute to localized cooling.
Q: How much noise do solar farms generate?
A: Solar farms are quiet neighbors that generate minimal noise.
Q: How does solar help preserve family farms?
A: Solar uses less than 0.5% of agricultural land nationwide and is fully reversible – allowing the land to be restored to active farming. Most solar land remains under the ownership of the original landowner and provides additional income to keep family farms viable.
Q: How do solar farms impact soil?
A: Solar panels often improve soil by reducing erosion, chemical use, and compaction and by allowing vegetation to restore nutrients. Many solar sites show better soil health after operation than before.
Q: What benefits do solar leases provide to farmers?
A: Solar lease payments often significantly exceed farming profits and provide guaranteed income for 25-30 years, providing predictable, steady income that helps farm families stay on their land.
Q: How will our local community benefit?
A: Solar farms typically generate millions in local property taxes, create hundreds of construction jobs, provide stable income to landowners, and attract other businesses to the area.
Q: How do we know the solar company will keep its promises?
A: Solar farms are legally bound by lease agreements with their landowners, development and permit agreements with the community, and even larger state and federal permits. Companies also have strong incentives to maintain good community relationships for future projects.
Q: Will our local schools really benefit?
A: Yes. Since schools typically receive 60-70% of property tax revenue, they often see the largest benefit from solar farms. Many districts use solar revenue to hire teachers, upgrade technology, and improve facilities.
Q: What happens to our community when the project ends?
A: Solar farms are often backed by decommissioning agreements with the local community, secured through a bond. These agreements ensure that, at the end of the facility’s life, the solar infrastructure can be safely removed and the land restored at no cost to the community.
Q: What happens if the solar company goes out of business?
A: Solar farms are valuable assets that would be sold to other operators. Tax revenue, jobs, and land lease payments continue regardless of ownership changes. Projects are also bonded to ensure proper decommissioning.
Q: Will trucks and construction traffic damage our roads?
A: Solar developers typically improve roads as part of construction and pay impact fees for any additional wear. Road improvements often benefit the entire community long-term.
Q: Will a solar farm hurt my property values?
A: Studies show solar arrays often have no measurable impact on the value of adjacent properties, and in some cases may even have positive effects. To ensure local conditions are accurately reflected, developers often commission property value studies tailored to the specific communities where projects are proposed.
Health & Safety
Q: Are solar panels dangerous to my health?
A: No. Solar panels produce no emissions and are primarily made from common materials like silicon, aluminum, and glass.
Q: Will solar panels contaminate our water or soil?
A: No. Solar panels are sealed units built with multiple laminated layers and encased in durable tempered glass - materials similar to those used in car windshields or cell phone screens. Solar panels meet rigorous federal safety standards, ensuring they remain environmentally safe, even in the event of breakage.
Q: How do solar farms prevent harmful glare?
A: Modern solar panels are designed with anti-reflective coatings to absorb light, not reflect it. They actually create significantly less glare than windows or wet pavement.
Q: Do solar farms impact local temperature?
A: Solar panels have a minimal effect on local temperatures. They are designed to efficiently dissipate heat, and when paired with vegetation planted around the site, they can even contribute to localized cooling.
Q: How much noise do solar farms generate?
A: Solar farms are quiet neighbors that generate minimal noise.
Agriculture & Land Use
Q: How does solar help preserve family farms?
A: Solar uses less than 0.5% of agricultural land nationwide and is fully reversible – allowing the land to be restored to active farming. Most solar land remains under the ownership of the original landowner and provides additional income to keep family farms viable.
Q: How do solar farms impact soil?
A: Solar panels often improve soil by reducing erosion, chemical use, and compaction and by allowing vegetation to restore nutrients. Many solar sites show better soil health after operation than before.
Q: What benefits do solar leases provide to farmers?
A: Solar lease payments often significantly exceed farming profits and provide guaranteed income for 25-30 years, providing predictable, steady income that helps farm families stay on their land.
Community Benefits & Impact
Q: How will our local community benefit?
A: Solar farms typically generate millions in local property taxes, create hundreds of construction jobs, provide stable income to landowners, and attract other businesses to the area.
Q: How do we know the solar company will keep its promises?
A: Solar farms are legally bound by lease agreements with their landowners, development and permit agreements with the community, and even larger state and federal permits. Companies also have strong incentives to maintain good community relationships for future projects.
Q: Will our local schools really benefit?
A: Yes. Since schools typically receive 60-70% of property tax revenue, they often see the largest benefit from solar farms. Many districts use solar revenue to hire teachers, upgrade technology, and improve facilities.
Q: What happens to our community when the project ends?
A: Solar farms are often backed by decommissioning agreements with the local community, secured through a bond. These agreements ensure that, at the end of the facility’s life, the solar infrastructure can be safely removed and the land restored at no cost to the community.
Q: What happens if the solar company goes out of business?
A: Solar farms are valuable assets that would be sold to other operators. Tax revenue, jobs, and land lease payments continue regardless of ownership changes. Projects are also bonded to ensure proper decommissioning.
Q: Will trucks and construction traffic damage our roads?
A: Solar developers typically improve roads as part of construction and pay impact fees for any additional wear. Road improvements often benefit the entire community long-term.
Q: Will a solar farm hurt my property values?
A: Studies show solar arrays often have no measurable impact on the value of adjacent properties, and in some cases may even have positive effects. To ensure local conditions are accurately reflected, developers often commission property value studies tailored to the specific communities where projects are proposed.