Solar company requests CUP for facility in New Kent

A Richmond-based company has requested a conditional use permit (CUP) to bring a solar facility to eastern New Kent County.

Virginia Solar/Sunworks LLC made a presentation to New Kent’s Planning Commission on Apr. 18 with the request for the permit.

“Solar energy is becoming economically competitive,” said Matthew Mears, a representative of Virginia Solar. “It is becoming very appealing and with regulations, a lot of power companies are looking into another source of energy.”

Mears said in his presentation that New Kent was identified as a location of interest for its good electrical infrastructure, its A-1 (agricultural) zoning, and the county’s comprehensive plan.

“We are looking to be the premiere provider for solar energy within an 80-mile radius of Richmond, and New Kent has a lot of what we look forward to when selecting a location,” the representative added.

According to the submitted CUP and information on the project, the solar arrays and ancillary equipment will occupy approximately 250 acres of a 484-acre tract near Barhamsville. The location would have a power line run from the facility to the Lanexa substation. The project will be surrounded by a seven-foot high chain linked fence with aesthetics providing a cover for the facility so that it will not be a distraction to residents.

“Visual impact is the complaint that we usually receive with this type of project,” Mears added, saying how the mirrors that absorb the sunlight sometimes reflect it. “The only noise the facility will bring is during the construction phase, with very minimal noise during the operating stages.”

When questioned by commissioners about the economic impact on New Kent, the representative commented on the 20-megawatt planned project.

“During the construction phase, this will generate 13 direct jobs, one indirect job, and one induced job with $1.3 million economic impact the year the project is built,” Mears commented. “During post-construction operation this project’s estimated impact to New Kent would be one direct job and one induced job with $1.2 million per year for the next 35 years.

“This means the total economic impact to the county will be approximately $43 million dollars and that does not include the taxes on the facility that we would have to pay,” Mears concluded.

Local economic benefits are a maximum 240 workers on-site during the construction phase with many likely to come from local suppliers and contractors, according to the presentation.

If approved, the project is scheduled to undergo construction beginning in summer/fall 2017 but may begin sooner. Expectation for completion is six to nine months.

A public meeting is expected to be held by Virginia Solar with residents in May, followed by a public hearing on the CUP with the county’s planning commission at the May regularly scheduled meeting.