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5 <br /> RESPONSE: Both staff and the applicant's engineer indicated that the array <br /> should not be visible from White Cross Road as the only clearing initiated along <br /> the roadway would be the proposed driveway access. <br /> Mr. Post indicated the individual arrays would only be approximately 7 to 10 feet in <br /> height from ground elevation and should be obstructed from view by the <br /> vegetation as denoted on the site plan. <br /> • A Planning Board member said he was unsure if it was truly undesirable to see a solar array <br /> from the road or from adjacent properties. <br /> • A Planning Board member asked staff to discuss the required landscape buffer for the project. <br /> RESPONSE: Staff has determined that the applicant is required, per Section 6.8.6 <br /> of the UDO, to adhere to a Type F 75 foot landscaped buffer around the perimeter <br /> of the utility site. <br /> • A Planning Board member asked what would happen if Duke Power, who would be <br /> receiving the power generated from the array, was acquired by a third party who did not <br /> want to purchase the power generated from the array or if the array fell into disrepair <br /> what would happen. <br /> RESPONSE: Both Mr. Lance Williams, with Strata Solar, and Ms. Elizabeth <br /> Trahos, attorney for the applicant, indicated there is a long term agreement with <br /> Duke Power related to the purchase of power from this site. This agreement <br /> would be transferable and bind future utility companies, who may acquire Duke, to <br /> honor the contract. <br /> Mr. Williams further indicated that this solar facility is a regulated power facility as <br /> defined by the State and there were requirements that local utility providers had an <br /> obligation to purchase the power produced from such facilities. <br /> Both individuals indicated the array would be maintained, as required by the UDO <br /> and certain provisions of State law, in an operational condition. If the array was no <br /> longer operable it would have to be removed. <br /> • A BOCC member asked what the proven life of a solar panel was. <br /> RESPONSE: Mr. Williams indicated that the anticipated life span of a panel was <br /> approximately 50 to 60 years. The manufacturer of the panels indicates the panel <br /> will still generate approximately 85% of its capacity after 25 years of use. <br /> Mr. Williams said these panels would be fixed and not move (i.e. track the sun) <br /> meaning less opportunity for operational issues. <br /> • A Planning Board member asked the applicant to clarify the actual number of arrays and <br /> individual solar panels on the property. <br /> RESPONSE: Mr. Williams indicated that there may be approximately 960 `solar <br /> array panels' on the property as indicated within staff's abstract but that these <br /> arrays would be composed of smaller, individual, solar panels. Mr. Williams <br /> indicated that there would be approximately 27,000 solar panels generating <br /> approximately 240 watts of power per panel. These individual solar panels would <br /> be clustered into the aforementioned 960 `solar array panels' as denoted on the <br /> site plan. <br /> • A Planning Board member asked how the grass underneath the array would be maintained. <br />