How will Dixon Run Solar affect electric bills in the area?

Construction of the Dixon Run Solar facility will not affect the electric bills in the area; construction and maintenance of the facility is paid by Dixon Run Solar, LLC and not by the public. Local energy bills are not linked to this project. Because Ohio is a state that allows competitive retail electric service providers to compete for customers, Ohio’s residents have a diverse array of suppliers to choose from.

When will the project be constructed?

The project will begin construction around December 2022 after receipt of all required permits. The facility will be placed in service upon completion of construction, anticipated for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Will the project increase traffic in the area?

Yes, but only during the construction of the project. Construction related traffic will primarily consist of fixed-bed trucks, tractor-semi-trailers, multi-axle dump trucks, and low-boy semi-trailers for transporting construction equipment. Most vehicles will be within the maximum allowable size and weight. However, some overweight/oversize (OW/OS) vehicles may be required for the delivery of the switchgear or transformers for the Facility substation and equipment for the POI switchyard. Deliveries of equipment will generally occur during regular business hours.

Will any jobs be created by Dixon Run Solar?

Yes, various jobs will be created by the Dixon Run Solar project. Workkforce needed include; Electricians, Security, Fencing, Electrical Helpers, Wire Pullers, Grading, Equipment, Operators, Stone/Gravel ,Silt Fencing/Silt Ponds, Truck Drivers, Ground keeping/Maintenance, Concrete, Mechanical - Torque, Fuel Supplier, Hauling, Receiving, Administrative Assistants, and Safety.

Will the project increase noise in the area?

Yes, but only during the construction of the project, when heavy machinery (such as earth-moving equipment, pile drivers, trucks, man lifts, and cranes) will be used to prepare the site and install the PV panels and substations. During project operation, sound emissions will be at low levels and localized to areas directly adjacent to facility equipment. Sound impacts beyond the facility property will be negligible, and well within the standards OPSB noise conditions for electrical generation facilities.

Do solar projects require any community services?

No, solar projects do not require any community services. For this project, there is no need for water or sewer, no increased demand on schools or government agencies/services, no additional police/EMS needed, and no new roads or permanent facilities for Jackson County to maintain.

Do solar projects pay taxes?

In effect, yes. In Ohio, counties often elect to use an alternative to standard property tax assessments for renewable energy projects. This alternative, known as a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), requires the generation facility to provide fixed annual payments to the local taxing authority for the life of the facility. The annual PILOT payments are allocated to local taxing districts – such as the township and school district – in the same way as other property taxes. In addition to the benefit of a fixed revenue stream, the local community benefits from a requirement that at least 80% of the workers employed for construction and operation of a solar facility reside in Ohio. Further, to qualify for the PILOT, a solar facility developer must guarantee to make certain road repairs, train and equip fire and emergency personnel for responding to emergencies at the facility, and partner with a state university or apprenticeship program for training in the renewable energy industry.

Can fields used for solar be returned to farming?

Yes, the life of the solar facility is expected to be 40 to 50 years. At the end of the facility’s useful life, the project will be decommissioned, and the land returned to agricultural use. The revegetation and mitigation strategy being developed for the project site restores ecological function to the site subsequent to construction. The seed mixes to be specified would be selected for their capability in supporting pollinator habitat and increasing species diversity. Additionally, the project will provide an opportunity for the soil to rest which will enhance the lands productivity if returned to agricultural use in the future.

What happens at the end of the useful life of the solar panels?

After a solar facility reaches its useful age/efficiency (approximately 40 to 50 years), the project owner may do one of two things; the owner may decide to replace certain pieces of equipment and continue operation of the facility or the owner will remove the facility and return the land back to its original state. If the owner may decide to replace certain pieces of equipment and continue operation of the facilit they may replace major items such as inverters and PV modules or replace for newer more efficient technologies may be available at that time. If the owner chooses to remove the facility adn return the land back to its origial state the folowing will happen: panels will be removed and sent to a recycling facility, all steel racking and posts will be removed and recycled, all electrical wiring will be removed and recycled, all transformers and inverters will also be recycled, all fences will be removed, the site will be fully cleaned of any debris, the site will be returned to its original state, and this process would be completed within 12 months of the start of decommissioning unless there are unforeseen events outside the reasonable control of Dixon Run Solar, LLC.

Are there any economic benefits?

Yes, there are multiple economic benefits from the construction of a solar facility. The construction of the facility will result in direct employment opportunities. During construction, workers will provide additional benefits through patronage of local businesses such as restaurants, hotels, hardware stores, and gas stations. In addition, the PILOT will provide the community with additional long-term revenue, which could be used for any number of projects or initiatives that would benefit the community.

What are the environmental impacts of utility scale solar?

Solar panels are often recyclable and can also be disposed into landfills, as they contain no harmful chemicals that could have a negative impact on the environment. The transformers used in this facility contains organic mineral oil but are designed and constructed with an oil containment system for added protection. After construction, the site is raked and seeded to encourage new low-growing vegetation, compatible with facilities of this type.

Various measures are taken to prevent the erosion of the site outside of the contained area during and after construction. Additionally, Local, State, and Federal agencies perform regular inspections of these sites during the construction process to ensure the project complies with all laws and conditions included in construction permits.

How do solar facilities impact my property value?

Studies have shown that prices of properties sold before and immediately after construction of the solar facility did not fluctuate significantly. Therefore, construction of a solar facility will not have a negative impact on the value of adjacent properties.

How will this solar facility affect wildlife?

Impacts to wildlife from solar facilities in Ohio are typically minor. A solar facility could affect wildlife’s routes to existing food or water sources just as any other type of construction could. However, such displacement will be temporary in nature, occurring as a result of increased noise and human activity during facility construction. Facility operation is passive and will not disturb or adversely impact wildlife. The vegetative cover that will be planted under the PV panels will be subject to less disturbance than typical agricultural land and will provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife.

Do solar panels reflect sunlight?

No, the solar panels are covered with an anti-reflective coating. In the case of these panels, the desired result is to absorb the sunlight, not reflect it. Solar panels have been installed at airports next to aircraft runways with no negative affect.

Additionally, Dixon Run will conduct a glare study which will be submitted for OPSB review.

Will the project materially endanger the public health or safety?

No, solar technology has been widely used since the 1950s to provide various forms of electricity to components such as watches, heaters, calculators, and homes. This is the same technology utilized in the Dixon Run Solar project but on a larger scale. Solar panels are non-toxic and do not endanger the public health nor safety. Also, many solar facilities have been constructed across the United States and have been in operation for many years without adversely affecting public health or safety.

Specific to the facility site, Dixon Run will submit a preliminary plan for OPSB review that will address proposed safety measures. Dixon Run’s design will include setbacks for safety, access pathways sized to accommodate emergency management vehicles, and sufficient turnaround space for these vehicles.

Will the project be in harmony with the area it is to be located?

Yes, the Dixon Run Solar development will be in harmony with the area in which it is to be located. The site is composed mostly of agricultural land and is not adjacent to any villages or major subdivisions. Additionally, Dixon Run Solar will implement a 100-foot setback from major roadways and 300-foot setback from residential properties.