Cottontail Solar
153MWdc
currently in operation across 6 sites
200
jobs created during construction to date, the majority local workers
$40 million
dollars in new tax revenue projected over the project life, for schools as well as local and county governments
157,800
metric tons of CO2 emissions projected to be reduced every year
About the Cottontail Solar project
Cottontail Solar is a clean energy project, with sites across Pennsylvania. Six sites totaling 153MWdc are currently in commercial operation in York, Northumberland, Snyder and Juniata Counties. Additional sites are in development across the state.
The project will do more than generate clean energy and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that are affecting the health of Pennsylvanians. It will create jobs, bring millions of dollars in investment to local communities and the Commonwealth, conserve area flora and fauna, and provide a diversified source of income for farmers in the community who are leasing their own property, enabling them to maintain their land for future generations.
A mapping tool from The Nature Conservancy has been used to confirm that the project sites we’re developing are not located on high value biodiversity areas or wildlife corridors that are critical for species to adapt and respond to climate change. We have been developing the sites in a phased approach, working closely with the local communities and going through the local permitting processes.
Local benefits
Job creation: The project will help grow the Pennsylvania solar market and rewarding careers for current and future generations in solar energy, and is expected to employ up to 400 workers in total during construction, with the vast majority coming from central Pennsylvania including LiUNA Laborers’ Local 158.
Tax revenue: In total, an estimated $40 million in property tax revenues over the life of the project will stay in the local communities, a significant increase over current payments.
Stormwater benefits: The solar farms may significantly reduce sediment runoff by converting tilled row crop acreage to permanent cover crop of native grasses that can intercept and retain stormwater.
A healthier environment: 157,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide will be abated each year, the equivalent to emissions from about 34,092 cars.
Biodiversity conservation: Studies have confirmed that solar projects can increase wildlife populations and overall biodiversity by allowing soil and habitat to regenerate from previous intensive land use practices.
Land regeneration: Soil will be protected from erosion, have far fewer chemicals than traditional farming, and be allowed the opportunity to “rest” similar to fallowed parcels under USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program.
Community dialogue – we want to be a good neighbor
Lightsource bp is dedicated to supporting communities that are home to our solar projects across America. That’s why we have an entire Community Relations team that works closely with our neighbors to maximize the positive social impacts of our projects.
If you would like to connect with a community ambassador, please email USCommunityRelations@lightsourcebp.com.
It’s so much more than a solar farm
A solar farm is so much more than you think. It’s a jobs farm. It’s a biodiversity farm. It’s an educational farm for local schools. It’s a new year-round type of harvest for your neighbor farmers that helps them keep their land for future generations.
It’s also an agrivoltaics farm. Lightsource bp is a member of the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA), a non-profit founded by farmers dedicated to agrivoltaics: the combination of agriculture and solar photovoltaics through sheep grazing on solar sites to maintain the land and keep it in agricultural production. Working in partnership with ASGA, local farmers, grazing and ecology experts, we’re planning to implement sheep grazing at our solar sites wherever possible.
Why solar?
Solar is a passive form of technology, generating emissions-free electricity that adds security to our country’s energy mix. This, combined with its ability to bring our country’s energy costs down makes it an ideal energy source for the US.
- Solar farms are quiet, clean neighbors. They don’t emit any noise beyond the site boundaries and can be designed with screening to limit project visibility from neighbors’ residences and nearby roads.
- With a long-term land management plan, studies have shown that solar farms can meaningfully increase wildlife populations and biodiversity.
- Solar farms can help strengthen rural economies by creating local jobs, contributing significant annual revenue for local counties, providing dependable revenue to landowners in order to supplement farm income, and bringing multimillion dollar annual operations budgets that are primarily spent in the region.
Our Responsible Solar approach
Example of fencing that will be used for the Cottontail solar farms
Lightsource bp has a deep commitment to delivering safe, clean and affordable energy, as well as maximizing the environmental sustainability and positive social impacts of each of our projects. We call this approach responsible solar. We pay attention to every detail, from the fencing we choose to the vegetation we plant. As the project owner and operator, we want our Cottontail solar farms to be a great project for the local communities and the Commonwealth.
Customized long term land management plans
Once a solar farm is built, it becomes a nature haven that’s undisturbed for many years. We have seen plant and wildlife habitats increase at our solar farms, and our goal is to create plans that will increase local biodiversity.
Screening and setbacks from residential areas
We design setbacks from nearby property lines, and plant evergreen screening wherever needed to protect our neighbors’ viewsheds. We’re eager to work with our neighbors on what types of plantings they prefer.
Discreet fencing
Based on initial feedback from the local community, we have selected cedar post farm fencing for our Cottontail solar farms that will better integrate with the rural landscape and wildlife.
Pledge to recycling
Lightsource bp is committed to recycling all panels at our solar farms in the US – that includes any panels damaged during construction, operations, and all panels left at the end of life / decommissioning.
Stories
Find out more about our Responsible Solar approach
Solar farm, living laboratory: Lightsource bp’s Nittany solar projects in Pennsylvania
Learn about research at our sites
Get in touch
If you’d like to find out more about this project, email USCommunityRelations@lightsourcebp.com, or fill out the form below. We aim to get back to you within five working days.
If you are a member of the media, please visit our Press Center.
Explore other Lightsource bp solar projects in Pennsylvania
Penn State Solar
70 MW
Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Energy partner: Penn State University
Elk Hill Solar 1 and 2
42 MW
Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Energy partner: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA)
Information and resources
We’ve put together a collection of resources for anyone who’d like to know more about our Cottontail solar farm project – or about solar in general.
Coverage
Solar farm FAQs
We’ve put together a list of the most commonly asked questions, and their answers.