Cottontail Solar FAQs

How safe is a solar farm?

A solar project is about as safe as a facility can be. There are no air or chemical emissions from the solar farm. No trucks will be coming and going on a daily basis once construction is complete. The power will leave the solar project on lines just like the power lines in your neighborhood.

Is it a concern that we’re losing farmland to solar?

Urban sprawl and rural subdividing are the primary contributors to loss of farm ground. Solar energy temporarily sets aside farm ground and protects it from permanent loss due to urban expansion.

Can the land be returned to agriculture?

At the end of the project, the installation will be dismantled, completely removed and recycled. Your farmer neighbors will be able to return to row crop agriculture or pursue the type of agricultural practice that best suits their farm needs at the time.

Are solar farms noisy?

Solar projects are quiet neighbors. Any sound from the solar projects will be limited to inverters and a transformer which cannot be heard past the project boundaries.

Is glare an issue?

Solar panels are designed to absorb, not reflect, sunlight and reflect less light than glass or water. Regardless, when required by the FAA, a study will be completed to confirm that there will be no issues.

What kind of technology do solar projects use?

Solar projects use conventional solar panels just like those installed on the roofs of homes and businesses. The technology has been around for decades.

What are solar panels made of?

Solar panels are mostly glass, aluminum, silicon (refined sand) and semi-conducting material. The glass is designed to withstand hail and is tempered, like the windshields of cars, and consequently is resistant to breakage.

Are solar projects safe for birds?

For our solar projects, we’re using solar photovoltaic, or PV, panels. This technology is designed to absorb as sunlight in order to generate electricity. Solar PV technology will not harm birds. In fact, we have seen bird habitats increase at our solar projects because once they’re built, they are undisturbed for many years.

Will solar panels end up in a landfill in my area?

No – Solar panels used at our solar projects pass rigorous testing to prove they are non-hazardous under federal law and could be disposed of in regular landfills just like household garbage. However, Lightsouce bp is committed to recycling all solar panels for our solar projects in the U.S. – that includes any panels damaged during construction, operations, and all panels at the end of life/decommissioning.

How are the panels kept clean?

Generally, rainfall helps to keep the panels free of dust and dirt.

Will a solar project cause traffic disruption?

Once a solar project is in place it requires very little maintenance and with monthly visits in regular cars or 4x4s there is no traffic disruption. While solar projects are being constructed, a traffic management plan will be put in place.

Who is paying for the installation of the solar systems?

Lightsource bp is leasing the land from local residents and will finance, build, own, operate and maintain the solar projects with private capital. The projects are not being funded by Pennsylvania residents.

Will new transmission lines be run?

No – the parcels selected for these solar projects have access to existing transmission infrastructure, so we do not need to build new transmission lines.

Is solar power suited to the Pennsylvanian climate?

Lightsource bp specifically selected these sites because they have some of the best solar irradiation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Additionally, solar panels do not require direct sunlight to produce electricity, only daylight, and actually perform more efficiently in cooler temperatures.

Do solar projects have any permanent lighting?

There is virtually no permanent lighting at a solar farm. Motion-activated and down-ward facing lights are located only at gates and at some equipment.