Happy Friday!

February 28, 2025

This week our team traveled throughout the Commonwealth, from Brunswick to Washington Counties on our mission for

Clean Energy the Right Way.

Keeping Solar in the Sun but 

Out of Sight

Antler Road Solar Project Showcase, Boyd Tavern, Mecklenburg County

While public opinion has grown more favorably for clean energy, there’s also the factor for these communities to preserve natural (and often near-pristine rural) landscapes. Solar arrays are not permanent structures, and though they will be dismantled and removed one day, it’s also important to many people that they are hidden from plain view or out-of-sight altogether.  Concerns about the visual impact of large solar farms have led to strategies that integrate these renewable energy projects into the natural environment. One of the most effective implementations is by utilizing dense forest vegetation as a natural barrier.

One such project, the Antlers Road Solar Farm, is a fantastic example of how rural communities are integrating renewable energy while maintaining their natural beauty. Antlers Road Solar is being commissioned in 2026 and will supply 90MW of power to our electric grid, powering as many as 18,000 homes in the surrounding area. This large-scale solar farm will be strategically concealed using existing forested areas and additional vegetative buffers to minimize its visibility from public roads and neighboring properties.

Beyond its visual integration, Antlers Road Solar will provide significant economic benefits to Mecklenburg County and the surrounding region. The project is expected to generate more than 200 jobs during the construction phase, providing a boost to local employment. Additionally, two full-time positions will be created to maintain the solar farm and the property. Over its lifetime, the project will contribute approximately $4.4 million in additional revenue to Mecklenburg County and local taxing districts, helping to fund public services and infrastructure improvements. It’s also important to note Antlers Road Solar is being designed with environmental stewardship in mind. The development includes multiple wildlife corridors, ensuring that local animal populations can continue to move freely through the area without disruption. These corridors help maintain biodiversity and support the coexistence of clean energy infrastructure with natural ecosystems in a way that other developments cannot.

By incorporating dense forest buffers, creating jobs, generating revenue, and prioritizing wildlife conservation, the Antlers Road Solar project serves as a model for how rural counties can responsibly implement large-scale renewable energy while preserving their scenic characteristics. Overall, leveraging dense forest vegetation as a concealment method allows rural counties to continue to support solar energy development without compromising the visual appeal of their landscapes and wildlife.

Follow Us

WHAT WE’RE THINKING

Regulating Solar Development – Protecting Land or Limiting Landowners?

As communities consider restrictions on solar development, it’s important to take a step back and ask: what do we seek to achieve? Many ordinances aim to preserve rural character and agricultural heritage, but policies that are overly restrictive can have the opposite effect—limiting opportunities for farmers and landowners while making permanent development, such as housing or heavy industry, more likely.

For many farmers, solar offers a way to keep their land in production while providing financial stability. Unlike housing developments, which often represent the final crop on a piece of land, solar is impermanent. Panels can be removed at the end of their lifespan, leaving the land intact for future generations. Many farmers who lease land for solar continue to graze livestock or maintain other agricultural uses, proving that clean energy and farming can go hand in hand.

Energy Right was present to share this message at the Washington County Planning Commission this week, where officials are considering an 8.5-acre cap on solar projects. While regulating possible development, this restriction would in turn impact the property rights of local farmers by limiting their ability to use their land in ways that support their livelihoods and production option that also preserves future agriculture. A more balanced approach to regulations would allow landowners the freedom to choose responsible solar development while still maintaining the rural character of the county.

Ordinances like this take the option away from the landowner off the table, forcing landowners to look at other, more permanent ways to make ends meet—or selling the land altogether in favor of permanent development. If the goal is to protect open space and preserve farmland, communities should consider policies that allow for responsible solar development rather than shutting the door entirely. Solar doesn’t have to mean the end of agriculture. For many farmers, it’s a way to ensure their land remains farmland for years to come. Thoughtful planning and balanced regulations can support landowners, protect rural landscapes, and create a future that honors both tradition and innovation.

Where We Went

FROM THE ROAD

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

This week, Energy Right attended an educational presentation on Energy at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. This “Energy 101” covered energy basics and included a discussion of our current energy generation portfolio. It’s important to continue learning and staying up to date on state-wide and nation-wide trends as we seek to achieve an increasingly clean energy economy.

WHAT WE READ

WHAT NEXT?

WORTH A READ + SHARE

Community solar installations in the U.S. hit a record 1.7GW in 2024, marking a 35% increase from the previous year, with New York, Maine, and Illinois leading the growth. Despite this milestone, long-term expansion faces uncertainty due to policy barriers, interconnection delays, and saturation in top state markets. Wood Mackenzie projects an 8% annual decline in growth through 2029, though policy improvements could change the trajectory.

New markets, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Missouri, show promise for boosting community solar adoption. If these states successfully implement supportive legislation, total community solar capacity could increase by at least 16% by 2029. However, with federal uncertainty and varying state policies, the sector’s long-term outlook remains dependent on regulatory changes and infrastructure improvements.

Want to keep up with Energy Right? Sign up, and forward to a friend!