Frequently Asked Questions

As sunlight hits the solar panels, the solar radiation is converted into direct current (DC) electricity. The direct current is collected on cables from each string of panels and flows into power inverters, where it is converted into alternating current (AC) electricity. AC electricity flows on the electrical grid and is used by homes and businesses. The AC electricity from the power inverters is again collected using a series of cables and delivered to a central electrical substation where it passes through a power transformer. The transformer boosts the voltage of the current to match the voltage at the point of delivery at the local utility substation.

PV Panels and Racking System – These make up the bulk of the project. The panels are mounted onto a fixed structure at an angle designed to optimize energy collection throughout the year. Strings of these panels are connected in series, and a group of panel strings are then connected to a power inverter unit.

Power Inverter Units – These collect output from the panel arrays and convert the power from direct current to alternating current. No power is produced at the inverter; it is simply a piece of equipment used to convert and control the energy generated by the solar field.

Electrical Collection System – This system aggregates all the AC electricity produced by the inverter units spread out across the solar field. The AC collection system delivers all electricity to the project substation, and the cabling used by the system is generally located underground.

Project Substation – This transforms the electricity to a higher voltage, which is the operating voltage at the substation where the project will connect. The project substation also contains disconnect switches and control equipment to protect both the project and the electrical grid in the event of an electrical fault or emergency.

Energy storage plays an important role in the U.S. solar industry and energy markets as a whole. Federal, state and local policymakers are making decisions now that will dictate to what extent storage can and will be used as the grid diversifies and electricity demand increases. The U.S. energy storage industry comprises hundreds of companies and thousands of American workers that manufacture, distribute and install residential, commercial and utility-scale energy storage systems across the country.

The support systems for the solar arrays will be designed to withstand the typical wind-loading.

Solar resources are abundant across the United States. The state of Alaska receives the same amount of irradiance as Germany, the world leader in PV deployment. But each state receives different amounts of sunlight, which ultimately impacts the amount of energy generated by a solar energy system.

Photovoltaic panels can use direct or indirect sunlight to generate power, though they are most effective in direct sunlight. Solar panels will still work even when the light is reflected or partially blocked by clouds. Rain actually helps to keep your panels operating efficiently by washing away any dust or dirt. If you live in an area with a strong net metering policy, excess energy generated by your panels during sunny hours will offset energy that you use at night and other times when your system isn't operating at full capacity.

Solar development and agricultural use can exist not only side-by-side, but increasingly are found together. A farmer can add solar to their property and get steady income from a land or rooftop array.

Solar energy facilities can collaborate with local farms and bee-keeping organizations to incorporate pollinator-friendly plants and bee hives onto their sites.

Responsible solar development could improve soil health, retain water, nurture native species, produce food, and provide even lower-cost energy to local communities.

Sheep farmers have opportunities to contract for vegetation management of solar sites and thus increase farm viability.

Using one large solar field or perimeter screening area is akin to planting thousands of backyard pollinator gardens, which ultimately increases the productivity of farmland for miles around the facility.

Planting native pollinator habitats reduces wastewater runoff, and pollinator-friendly vegetation management practices, including minimal use of pesticides, result in more stable bee populations, benefiting farmers in the surrounding area.

Farming is an extremely low-margin, competitive industry. If a farmer can add solar to their property and get steady income from a land or rooftop array, it can enable them to keep their farm. Steady income from solar projects means that farmers are less vulnerable to fluctuations in market prices on their products. Especially for larger solar projects, local government and communities benefit from collected taxes and localized spending. “Solar grazing” is a method of vegetation control for solar sites that utilizes livestock, primarily sheep. While solar grazing is currently in pilot phases on various sites, it is increasing in popularity. Solar companies can contract with local farmers, resulting in a relationship that is financially beneficial for both farmers and solar developers. Properly installed systems are benign to nearby animals.

Solar farms can support a greater diversity of plants as well as greater numbers of butterflies and bees, particularly under management which focuses on optimizing biodiversity when compared to equivalent agricultural land. This increase in plant and invertebrate availability may lead to more opportunities for foraging birds in terms of invertebrate prey and seed availability. When joint solar and vegetation designs are developed together, the benefits achieved can be maximized.

Responsible solar development could improve soil health, retain water, nurture native species, produce food, and provide even lower-cost energy to local communities. The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Innovative Site Preparation and Impact Reductions on the Environment (InSPIRE) project brings together researchers from DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Argonne National Laboratory, universities, local governments, environmental and clean energy groups, and industry partners to better understand how to maximize local benefits. At several InSPIRE sites, local beekeepers and university and national laboratory researchers are tracking their bees' visits to the pollinator-friendly vegetation under the solar panels. The goal is to determine how vegetation at solar sites can benefit insect populations and to understand the extent to which pollinator-friendly solar installations can boost crop yields at surrounding farms.

Favorable Site Characteristics: Flat clear field: behind a grove of trees and select a location that can provide the greatest amount of solar energy. It is required to have landowners who have an interest in selling or leasing property to the project. Furthermore, sites are evaluated to avoid and minimize impacts to sensitive environmental and cultural issues such as endangered species, sensitive cultural artifacts or protected wetlands.

Permitting: Local bylaws permit and favor solar power; Sites are selected where impacts to wetlands, special status wildlife/plant species and cultural resources can be avoided, minimized or mitigated.

Interconnection: Close to a substation: Sites are evaluated based on their proximity to existing and robust transmission infrastructure to minimize the amount of new, off-site transmission lines and facilities required to connect the project to the electrical grid. Proximate to loaded 3 phase distribution circuit.

Engineering: Flat, Clear, Limited wetlands.

Regulatory: State and federal rules and incentives apply and are available.

Wetlands/Waters of the U.S., Threatened and Endangered Species, Species Habitat, Avian Use, Archaeological Resources, Historic Architecture, Noise, Visual Impacts, Socioeconomic Impacts, Site Decommissioning/Restoration

Yes. People have been safely living and working around solar panels for decades. Solar panels create no greenhouse gases or other air pollutants. They use no water resources to generate electricity and they create no waste by-products. Panels are made of solid materials and do not pose a chemical hazard to the general public, underlying soil or groundwater.

There is a low likelihood that a fire would occur at a PV solar facility. The solar field itself has no substantial fuel source to support a fire - the panels are primarily metal and glass. If vegetation is allowed to grow within and under solar arrays, this vegetation typically consists of grasses or other small plants that are maintained less than 2-3 feet in height. The inverter units and pad mount transformers, which are the most likely source of a potential fire, contain no hazardous materials (typically only vegetable oil or mineral oils). In the event a piece of equipment did catch fire, the lack of fuel in the solar field prevents the fire from spreading.

Solar Energy Centers are complementary to a farming community. A solar project actually preserves the land for future use, and at the end of a solar project’s useful life the land can be returned to farming. Furthermore, farmers across the country are finding partnering with a solar project is a great way to diversify their income and hedge against the volatility of weather and commodity prices. Harvesting the sun to create renewable energy is another form of farming and one that is helping add value – including good jobs, tax benefits and landowner payments – to communities all across the country.

The energy from these projects will be interconnected into the power grid. All residents benefit from diversifying the state’s energy supply with renewable energy.

Visual impact assessment as part of the process. Experts are consulted on view shed at both the state and local level. Visual assessments will be done from a variety of representative public viewing points and include simulations.

Photovoltaic panels are constructed with non-reflective coatings and/or glass. These panels are designed specifically to absorb as much sunlight as possible in order to maximize electrical generation, rather than reflect sunlight. Further, the metal supports that form the racking system are typically constructed using galvanized steel or aluminum. Through design and intelligent siting, glint and glare can be eliminated or kept to a minimum.

No project is anticipated to having an impact on wildlife. Protecting wildlife and sensitive natural resources is a priority. No form of energy is free from environmental impact; however, solar energy has among the lowest impact as it emits no air or water pollution, requires no drilling or mining for fuel, and creates no hazardous waste. As part of its development process, studies are conducted thorough wildlife research to ensure each site complies with all local, state and federal environmental regulations. These studies will serve as the basis for any mitigation plans that will be put into place.

Drive system-wide savings that benefit all customers and encourage private investment in distributed clean energy solutions that help customers better manage their energy bills and reduce fuel costs.

Animate clean energy markets through strategies to attract private sector capital investment, and support clean transportation alternatives, enabling States to meet aggressive environmental energy goals and transition to a clean energy economy.

Complement and further other resiliency efforts by promoting the development of clean, local energy resources that strengthen and improve the reliability of the grid.

Provide States with the ability to operate its energy system more efficiently and at a lower cost and enable utilities to chart a vibrant, but changing future.

Help communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution pursue a clean energy future.

Guide the development and implementation of programs that will help fund and facilitate the clean transportation system of the future while maintaining existing infrastructure. Build an integrated energy network able to harness the combined benefits of the central grid with clean, locally generated power.

Renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass, will play a vital role in reducing electricity price volatility and curbing carbon emissions.