Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Round Hill Solar ProjectAugusta County, VA
Community Information Meeting June 30, 2020
Submit questions and comments
On desktop it will look something
like this.
On mobile devices and
tablets it will look
something like this.
Agenda Introductions Strata Solar Solar in Virginia Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Characteristics Project Overview Site Location and Selection Facility Site Design Visual Simulations Project Benefits Augusta County Permitting Process Key Permits and Reviews Questions and Answers Wrap-Up
Project Team Introduction
Dave StonerDevelopment Consultant
Louis IannoneSite Acquisition & Development
Chelsea WoodfinDevelopment Manager
Valerie LongAttorney
Jamie WeistP.E. & Associate
Cutter SydnorP.E.
Ellen TusingEngineer
Strata Solar
Kimley-Horn
Williams Mullen
Strata Solar• Leading US Utility-Scale Solar Company
• Based in Durham, NC
• Fully Integrated Company• Develop• Engineer and Build• Finance• Own• Operate and Maintain
• 400 Professional Staff + 1,000 Construction Staff
• More information at www.stratasolar.com
Constructed 200+ Projects
2,000 MW Nationwide
Projects Operating in 22 states
National O&M Coverage
No other company has developed and constructed more utility-scale solar projects than Strata Solar
Strata Solar
• Constructed 7 projects in VA totaling 267MW
• Operating those 7 projects under contract to Dominion
• 5 projects totaling 362MW currently in construction
• 10 projects in development totaling 895 MW, including Round Hill
• Close working relationship with Dominion Energy
Strata Solar’s Experience in Virginia Constructed and Operating
Under Construction
Project Location Size (Mwac)
COD
Gloucester Gloucester, VA 20.0 2019
Sappony Sussex, VA 20.0 2018
Buckingham Buckingham, VA 22.0 2018
Scott II Powhatan, VA 22.0 2018
Correctional New Kent, VA 22.5 2018
Remington Fauquier, VA 20.0 2017
Colonial Trail Surry, VA 142.5 2019
Project Location Size(Mwac)
COD
Spring Grove I Surry, VA 97.0 2020
Rochambeau James City, VA 20.0 2021
Ft. Powhatan Prince George, VA 150.0 2021
Myrtle Suffolk, VA 15.0 2020
Greensville Greensville, VA 80.0 2020
Strata Network Operations Center
Solar in VirginiaWhy Are We Hearing So Much About Solar Projects?• Solar is a huge new growth industry that rural
communities and landowners can benefit from
• It’s one of the cheapest sources of energy today –and that’s why Dominion and the State of Virginia has embraced it in their future energy plans
• It is not just driven by government policies and mandates
• It’s not just Virginia – this same transition and growth of solar is happening in most states
Solar PV Characteristics• Low-cost new energy source
• Non-obtrusive land use
• No noise
• No glare or light
• No health, safety, nor environmental concerns• No toxic materials • No EMF• No shock or fire hazard
• Decreased storm water runoff once operational compared to existing agricultural use via ground cover and storm water basins
• No impact to property values
• Decommissioning• Proper removal and salvage/disposal of
components• Allows return to agricultural or timber use
Round Hill Solar Project Overview• Applicant: Round Hill Solar, LLC
• Size: 83 megawatt (MW) utility-scale solar farm
• Location: 1.5 mi north of Stuarts Draft
• Site: Predominately agricultural use;
– 10 parcels – 880 acres
– Approximately 560 acre development
• Design: Solar Photovoltaic (PV) with Tracking Technology
• Interconnect: To Dominion’s existing 115kV transmission line
• Power Sales: Regional Utility
• Investment: $100 million Investment in Augusta County
• Schedule: Development 2019-2021
– Construction Q4 2021-2022
– Operations Q4 2022
Site Location and Selection
• Willing landowner partners• Suitable acreage and topography
– allows for reasonable setbacks and buffers
• Transmission line onsite for interconnection
• Large but contiguous site • Rural area with few immediate
neighbors• Mostly farm land, which minimizes
impact on natural habitats• GA zoning - allows solar but not
located on land slated for industrial development -Comprehensive Plan
Preliminary Site Plan
Facility Site DesignSetbacks: • 50-200’+ from roads or adjacent properties to the
solar arrays • Setbacks vary depending upon adjacent use
Buffers: • Minimum 30’ vegetative screen around perimeter • Design varies depending upon adjacent use
Design:• 15’ height limit for solar facilities • Gentle topography allows minimized grading • Grass & clover mix groundcover under panel
areas, pollinator species mix in buffers• Stormwater and erosion and sedimentation
control facilities
Decommissioning: • Plan & Security
Visual SimulationsGuthrie Road
Day of Planting
Projected 10-Year Growth (2-3’ per year)
Visual SimulationsWhite Hill Road
Day of Planting (10’ Tall)
Projected 10-Year Growth (2-3’ per year)
Project BenefitsRevenue Generation and Economic BenefitsCapital investment of approximately $100 million in Augusta County,
generating tax benefits and economic activityAugusta County revenue share payment in lieu tax of $116,000 annually; net
$4.1 million over 35-year project life; requires County OrdinanceSiting Agreement payments to Augusta County at start of constructionDirect and indirect economic effect in the County of labor income plus
purchase of local goods and services of approximately $30 million during construction and $700,000 annually during operations
Job CreationWill create approximately 200 construction jobs over a 12-month timeline8-10 permanent operations jobs, plus additional contractors for operations
and maintenance
Project Benefits (Continued)
Community Benefits Significant local economic benefits with minimal requirement for Augusta County
facilities or services New industry to “partner with the community” on various potential initiatives Workforce training and development Solar energy educational opportunities Long-term open land preservation (after decommissioning)
Environmental Benefits Clean, efficient, reliable, renewable power for up to 16,000 Virginia homes Supports Virginia and Dominion’s renewable energy goals Project offsets annual carbon dioxide emissions approx. equivalent to removing
40,000 cars from VA highways, 1000 railcars of coal, or 450 million lbs. of carbon emissions.
Augusta County Special Use Permit• Zoning Ordinance allows solar on GA zoned land subject to Special Use
Permit• Application will be consistent with ordinance and provide:
– Community Meeting– Economic Impact Analyses– Site Plan meeting setback and buffering requirements– Landscaping Plan– Ocular Study– Construction Traffic Plan and Road Repair Bond– Property Value Study– Decommissioning Plan and Bonding– Analysis of “substantially in accordance” with Comprehensive Plan
• Review process will include multiple public hearings for citizen input
•
••
Additional Permits and Reviews1. VA Department of Environmental Protection Permit by Rule
2. Studies and Reviews
a. Threatened and Endangered Species Review – VA Department of Environmental Protection
b. Archaeological and Cultural Resource Surveys – VA Department of Historic Resources
3. US Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation and Permit, if needed
4. VPDES Storm Water Discharge Permit
5. Erosion & Sedimentation Control Permits
6. VDOT Crossings and Driveway Permits
7. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
8. Certificate of Public Convenience & Necessity (VA Utility PPA or Acquisition)
Questions and AnswersAdditional questions after the meeting may be submitted to:[email protected]
- or -
Contact Louis or Dave (contact info on next page)
Q&A will be posted on website in the future
Closing• Information is available at
• https://www.roundhillsolarproject.com/• Website will be updated with Q&A and new information over time
• Printed materials available at:Community Development Department Stuarts Draft LibraryAugusta County Government Center 2857 Stuarts Draft Highway, #10718 Government Center Lane, Verona, VA Stuarts Draft, VA
• Can submit questions or comments by email or phone below
• Contacts:Louis Iannone David StonerManager, Site Acquisition & Development Strata Solar Development Consultant919-960-6015 x305 [email protected] [email protected]
