Utility-scale solar projects are required to reduce runoff flow rates, improve water quality, and may actually improve soil conditions by stabilizing the entire project area. Stormwater management plans and calculations are a required part of the solar development and permitting process. These plans are prepared by professional engineers to ensure that projects do not contribute to erosion or flooding. We follow the strict requirements of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to ensure our projects meet and often exceed guidelines to protect surrounding waterways. For example, we are adding additional erosion and sediment control measures throughout the project to help better manage the construction of the project. These additional measures may consists of additional engineered ditches throughout the panel areas, additional ditches upstream of the sediment ponds to reduce flow running down the pond walls, additional filter socks throughout the project to maintain sheet flow, and extensive application of erosion control matting to protect soil that has been seeded. Once operational, the use of perennial ground cover and elimination of annual tillage, irrigation, and fertilizer (in the case of farmland) allows the soil to absorb water and rejuvenate during the life of the project. With the non-invasive vegetation used on solar projects, these types of grasses have deep root systems help break up the soil over the operation of the project and improve permeability and infiltration rates of stormwater runoff.  Other types of developments have high percentages of impervious area and typically have very manicured lawns that do not allow the vegetation to mature; all this contributes to much higher runoff rates than solar projects. Additionally, the solar project executes maintenance agreements with DEQ, requiring the project owners to maintain the stormwater systems throughout the life of the project.

Solar farms do not pose a threat to wildlife. Wildlife studies are an important part of the development process — environmental scientists study proposed sites to ensure that utility-scale solar development minimizes impact to wildlife. Solar projects can also provide important habitat for birds and pollinators like bees and butterflies. We coordinate with, and follow the requirements of many state and federal agencies during the development and permitting process of solar projects. Some of these agencies consist of Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.