Agenda - 05-08-2014 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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25 • NC is 5th ranked state in solar energy generation • Strata is largest solar developer in NC and the sixth largest solar contractor in the nation • Operate 50 5 -MW farms • Will construct approx. 50 farms this year Job Creation • 80 professional staff: engineers, project managers, attorneys, accountants, technicians • 500 — 1,200 construction staff • Average 1,000 NC jobs throughout the year Fuquay Solar Farm (photo) 5MW Solar Farm • 30 -50 acres total, 25 ac panel footprint • 25,000 3'x5' Solar Panels, fixed on aluminum racks, up to 10' high excluding utility poles • Use existing land contours; very minimal grading, 100 SF around each inverter pad • 1% impervious surface White Cross Solar Farm (photo) • Panels — Polycrystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cell Panels; flat -blue color • Sun passes through glass, hits high -grade silicon and releases electrons in DC current • DC current is captured in a tributary system, converted to AC current and transferred Duke Energy local lines • No fuel used, no waste, no emissions • NC Utility Commission issues Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience for Solar Plant (NC Public Policy to promote renewable energy) • Power sold to Duke Power under a long -term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) • PPA is regulated by NC Utility Commission • Project is financed through combination of tax credit investors and PPA revenue • DENR Erosion Control Permit, DOT Driveway Permit and Local Municipal Electrical Permit • Project does not impact municipal services, schools, utilities, etc. • Typical project is surrounded by installed or existing buffers which are subject to conditions added by the municipality • Easily removed; Salvage Value > Removal Cost Stout Solar Farm Area (photo) Visually Similar Impacts • Single - Family Development • Manufacturing Facility • Warehouse • Public Works / Public Utilities • Schools Appraisal Analysis • Low Impact Development • No noise • No Emissions