Ridgeview Solar Project in Ohio - FAQs

  1. Will Ridgeview Solar be detrimental to existing agricultural uses?
    1. Ridgeview Solar will not be detrimental to Existing Agricultural uses and will likely provide benefits to surrounding owners.
  2. Do the solar panels contain hazardous materials?
    1. No, the solar panels used for the Ridgeview Solar project do not contain any hazardous materials. Modern solar panels are made of materials typical of those found in electronic equipment and are encased, so as not to pose a concern for the water supply or public health. These panels typically consist of glass, polymer, aluminum, copper, and semiconductor materials that can be recycled at the end of their life.
  3. Are solar projects ACTUALLY green?
    1. Most components of a modern solar panel can be recycled at the end of their life. Once in operation, solar energy plants do not produce air pollution or greenhouse gases.
    2. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/solar-energy-and-the-environment.php#:~:text=Solar%20energy%20technologies%20and%20power,larger%20effects%20on%20the%20environment.
  4. How loud is a solar farm?
    1. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center conducted a study of noise and electric-magnetic fields at utility-scale solar facilities running at optimum capacity. It measured the noise that the panels and inverters make at various distances and concluded that, while solar panels do make some noise, that noise is negligible to begin with and becomes inaudible from between 50–100 feet of the farm’s boundary line.

      The inverter (or, more specifically, the cooling fan within the inverter) makes a bit more noise than the panels, but not much more. At 30 feet away, the sound is about 65 decibels—or about the equivalent of the sound level of a conversation. By 500 feet, it is totally inaudible.

      Also, the noise that a solar facility produces only occurs when the equipment is in use. In other words, at night, when the panels and inverters are resting, there’s no noise.

      https://www.masscec.com/resources/study-acoustic-and-emf-levels-solar-photovoltaic-projects

  1. Who will repair broken drain tile?
    1. Ridgeview Solar will repair or reroute any tiles that are damaged during the construction or operation of the project facility.
  2. Will Ridgeview Solar hire and spend money locally?
    1. Yes, Ridgeview Solar is committed to hiring locally and being an economic engine locally during both construction and operations.

      During construction, Ridgeview Solar will create around 200 short-term jobs at peak, along with 2-3 permanent jobs for 35 years once operations commence.

  1. Can you ensure that Ridgeview Solar will completely remove the project at the end of its life?
    1. ENGIE is contractually bound with the landowners to begin site restoration (decommissioning) of the Ridgeview Solar Project within six (6) months of any surrender, termination or expiration of the agreement. Restoration incudes removing all equipment from the site, and returning the surface of the property to a condition and contour reasonably similar to the what existed on the site as of the effective date of the lease. Reseeding with grasses and/or natural vegetation is also a requirement of the lease.
  2. Will Ridgeview Solar negatively affect property values?
    1. Ridgeview Solar will not have an adverse impact on property values.
    2. https://www.seia.org/research-resources/solar-property-value#:~:text=It%20is%20a%20common%20misconception,may%20even%20have%20positive%20effects.
    3. https://www.asfmra.org/blogs/asfmra-press/2021/02/16/solars-impact-on-land-values
  3. Who owns ENGIE and how will Ridgeview Solar be financed?
    1. ENGIE is a French multinational utility company, headquartered in La Défense, Courbevoie, France. ENGIE is the #1 independent power producer in the world with 115 GW capacity generating 500 TWh. ENGIE currently has 4 solar PV projects for a total of nearly 200MW of capacity in development in the State of Ohio. ENGIE is also the Operator of The Ohio State University campus utility system.

      The project will be financed through a combination of equity and debt. While the specific sources of funding are still being finalized, it is important that ENGIE maintains strong relationships with multiple financial institutions.