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9 <br /> Chair McKee: Follow up, reasonable question. <br /> Commissioner Rich: How long are the solar panels useful? <br /> Chris Sandifer: The manufacturer guarantees them to 97 percent of issue to 25 years. They <br /> probably have a 30-year contract here, so even if they depreciate more than that— in thirty <br /> years they would still have a tremendous value in place if they were 95 percent efficient. But <br /> the history is showing that they're actually exceeding those depreciation rates right now. <br /> They're tracking them. <br /> Commissioner Rich: So they're tracking them in Europe. They're not tracking them here, <br /> correct? Because we haven't had them here. <br /> Chris Sandifer: I understand, but the degration schedule they were on —what they were <br /> anticipating —they're actually are exceeding that. They're actually doing better than what we <br /> had first anticipated they would do. They're guaranteed for 95 percent for 25 years. <br /> Chair McKee: Follow up? <br /> Commissioner Rich: I'm good. <br /> Chair McKee: Other questions? <br /> Chris Sandifer: Thank you. <br /> Brian Quinlan resumed the PowerPoint presentation: <br /> Public Health, Safety and General Welfare <br /> ➢ Solar projects are safe for the community <br /> • Low voltage <br /> o Array at much lower voltages than substations and power lines <br /> o System output voltage same as existing power line <br /> • All wiring and electrical equipment are covered/sealed <br /> • Design and construction meets all local electrical requirements as well as <br /> national electric codes <br /> • All equipment certified Underwriters Laboratories standards <br /> • Facility fenced with locked gate to prevent unauthorized entry <br /> • Solar panels are fully encapsulated/sealed with multiple layers including a glass <br /> cover and aluminum frame <br /> • Within 6 months of end of term of lease— components of the solar facility <br /> removed, site fertilized and reseeded with native grass <br /> o Decommissioning plan filed with the County Planning Dept. <br /> ➢ Testimony by Chris Sandifer, PE <br /> ➢ Review of publicly available information indicates no known archaeological, cultural or <br /> historical resources <br /> ➢ Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity review process has been completed by <br /> State and Federal agencies and CPCN approved for the project <br /> ➢ Phase I environmental assessment has been completed with no findings <br /> ➢ Project does not use any groundwater or have any impact on groundwater or water table <br />