Recurrent Energy is developing the Lightwood Power Project, a solar + battery energy storage facility, in Richmond County, North Carolina. The project is anticipated to be up to 80 MW solar and 128 MWh of storage.
| Location | Richmond County, North Carolina |
| Project Capacity | Up to 80 MW solar + 128 MWh energy storage |
| Homes Powered | Approximately 14,000 homes annually |
| Targeted Operation Date | 2029 |
| Acreage | Up to 828 acres |
| Interconnection | A new substation on the Fort Bragg to Richmond 230 kV line |
| Customer |
| Est. Jobs Created |
| Estimated Taxes |
| Earliest Construction Start Date | 2028 |
Solar projects provide numerous benefits to the communities in which they are sited. Solar projects represent significant local investments and drive meaningful increases in the local taxable property base. Solar projects also provide guaranteed annual property tax payments to local taxing jurisdictions, which allow county and local officials to make long-term financial plans and increase spending on public services and other critically important infrastructure.
Large-scale solar projects pay millions of dollars per year directly to landowners through lease and easement agreements, resulting in a diversified revenue stream that protects against fluctuating commodity prices and preserves family properties for future generations. In addition, these projects directly create hundreds of full-time equivalent jobs during the construction and installation phases and also support indirect and induced jobs during development and construction.
Yes. Solar power is now one of the cheapest sources of new electricity in most of the world due to declining equipment costs, improved technologies, and public policies which support the generation and use of renewable energy.
In the last decade, the cost to install solar has dropped by more than 40%. According to Lazard’s Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis – Version 17.0 (2024), even without tax credits, new solar resources have a levelized cost of energy in the range of 2.9¢/kWh – 9.2¢/kWh for large-scale solar. This range falls below the levelized cost of energy for new coal or gas combined cycle power production. These results have been bolstered by the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2025, which found that “Solar PV and wind are now the cheapest sources of electricity in most markets.”
Adding to their growing appeal, solar projects are uniquely able to sell their electricity output at a fixed price over the life of the project because the “fuel” is free and not subject to increases in commodity fuel prices.
Because the photovoltaic (PV) panel materials are enclosed and do not mix with water or vaporize into the air, there is little-to-no risk of chemicals, including greenhouse gases, being released into the environment during normal use. Crystalline silicon PV panels, which are extremely common and used worldwide do not pose a material risk of toxicity to public health and safety.
All solar facilities are designed to strict electrical safety standards to ensure safe operation. Product safety standards, installation requirements, and building codes for solar facilities are addressed by the National Fire Protection Agency’s National Electric code, the International Code Council’s International Fire Code, the International Association of Firefighters, and several other safety product and standards groups.
The National Electric Code requires appropriate levels of warning on all electrical components. The Lightwood Power Project will be surrounded by a fence at least six feet in height, with three strands of barbed wire on top as an added protection measure.
Glint refers to the direct reflection of the sun on a solar panel. Glare is a continuing source of brightness, not the direct reflection of the sun. Solar arrays are designed to absorb light and produce electricity, not reflect it. The panels that we will use for the Lightwood Power Project have an anti-reflective coating, which helps to increase the amount of light absorbed into the cell, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing glare and allowing the panels to blend in more easily with the surrounding area.
The Lightwood Power Project will be monitored during operating hours by onsite staff. The entire property will also be monitored remotely 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Maintenance crews will maintain the perimeter and interior landscaping within the project boundaries. The interior ground cover shall not exceed 18 inches, with a typical maximum height of 12 inches, so that it doesn’t interfere with the panels or other electrical components.
While producing electricity with photovoltaics emits no pollution, produces no greenhouse gas emissions, and uses no finite fossil fuel resources, it has been argued that solar power has a hidden carbon footprint due to solar panel manufacturing and project construction. Both fossil fuel and non-fossil fuel power technologies induce life-cycle greenhouse emissions that stem from the energy requirements for their construction and operation. Known as a “carbon debt,” this debt of energy must be paid off to calculate how solar projects reduce emissions over their lifetime. A typical utility-scale solar project—like the Lightwood Power Project—repays its carbon debt in roughly 12 months or less, providing decades of zero emission energy.
When sited and developed properly, the installation of a solar facility will have minimal impacts on wildlife in the area. In fact, studies show that solar facilities can provide shelter for species, promote land stability, preserve habitat, and support biodiversity.
Natural resource assessments are being conducted on the Lightwood Power Project site to determine presence, if any, of federally- or state-listed species and critical habitat. The results of the assessments will be shared with state and federal regulatory agencies and consultation will be conducted as needed.
The project will include the planting of a site-specific native seed mix containing a wide variety of native grasses and pollinator species common to the region. By incorporating native plant species throughout the project area, it is expected that the project will contribute to soil health and fertility, wildlife habitat, and forage areas.
The construction of the Lightwood Power Project will not require toxic chemicals or processes. PV panels typically consist of glass, aluminum, copper, silver, and semiconductor materials that can be successfully recovered and reused. Because the PV panel materials are enclosed and do not mix with water or vaporize into the air, there is little-to-no risk of chemicals, including greenhouse gases, being released into the environment during normal use. Crystalline silicon PV panels, an extremely common panel variant used around the world, “do not pose a material risk of toxicity to public health and safety.”
In addition, to provide decades of corrosion-free operation, panels like the ones that will be used for the Lightwood Power Project, are encapsulated from air and moisture between two layers of plastic. The encapsulation layers are further protected with a layer of tempered glass on the front and a polymer sheet on the back. For decades, this same material has been used between layers of tempered glass to give car windshields and hurricane windows their great strength, allowing them to stay intact even if damage occurs.
The Lightwood Power Project will use a solar panel tracking system, allowing the reflective surfaces to align with the sun as it moves across the sky. Therefore, due to continuous tilt, water will not collect on the panels during rainstorms. The rainwater that runs off the panels is absorbed into the ground, nurturing vegetation located under the panels. All stormwater on the site will be managed by a stormwater management system per North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality guidelines, which will be protective of local water quality.
There will be no concrete poured around piles holding up tracker rows. There will be limited amounts of concrete for inverter pads and at the substation.
The Lightwood Power Project will be designed in accordance with North Carolina Department of Transportation and Development safety guidelines. Signage and flagging will be implemented during construction as required. After construction is complete, the daily traffic will be reduced to one or two standard-size vehicles.
We anticipate that the Lightwood Power Project will have a 10 to 12 month construction timeline. Construction will only occur during daylight hours Monday-Friday, and some work may occur on Saturdays. We do not anticipate construction activities taking place on Sundays.
Examining property values across the United States demonstrates that large-scale solar projects like the Lightwood Power Project have no measurable impact on the value of the adjacent properties, and in some cases, may even have positive effects. Studies also show that proximity to solar projects does not deter the sales of agricultural or residential land.
We are responsible for the decommissioning and removal of all project infrastructure at the end of a project’s life and will restore the property to as close to its original condition as practicable so that it can be returned to its previous use. We also ensure landowners are protected from having to cover any of these expenses by posting financial insurance to cover the removal and restoration costs.
Photovoltaic (solar) panels typically consist of glass, aluminum, copper, silver and semiconductor materials that can be successfully recovered and reused at the end of their useful life. Alternatively, solar PV components can be reused or refurbished to have a “second life” of generating electricity.
Solar projects are low impact and coexist well with existing land use, operating without any impact to adjacent properties. A solar project’s lifespan allows the soil in the project area to rest and rebuild. Native vegetation can grow under the panels, allowing the land to retain water and topsoil, improving soil health over time. Therefore, the land can revert to the existing land use after decommissioning occurs at the end of the project’s life.
Large-scale energy storage is the method and apparatus used to store energy within an electrical power grid. The electrical energy is stored during the day when there is an abundance of electricity being generated, and it is discharged during peak hours when the need is greatest. Advances in technology and materials, paired with economies of scale, have led to dramatically reduced costs associated with energy storage.
BESS improve the way that we generate, deliver, and consume energy, providing many benefits:
BESS have individual battery cells, which are electrically connected and then packaged in a battery module. The battery modules are aggregated with controls and other equipment within racks, which are housed within enclosures, such as a cabinet, ISO shipping container, or a building.
These systems operate by converting electricity from the grid or a power generation source into stored energy. This will allow us to charge and discharge from the battery storage project when there is a demand.
A BESS has no direct emissions, requires no pipelines, recycles electricity, and helps to cut emissions by taking the load off traditional generation sources. Energy storage has been a part of our electrical grid since the 1930s and has a safety record that is similar to or better than other electricity generation, distribution, or management methods.
Recurrent develops robust emergency response plans, based on industry best practices that are customized for each facility. These emergency response plans include extensive collaboration with first responders to address emergency situations that might be encountered as well as the proper safety responses for each situation. Emergency response plans also include contact details for subject-matter experts who can advise first responders on appropriate actions for each situation.
In addition, we comply with the safety measures required by the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and applicable regional and local laws. We are also bound by the International Building Code, the International Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association codes and standards, and state fire regulations.
Safety events that result in fires or explosions are rare. The US energy storage industry has prioritized the deployment of safety measures such as emergency ventilation to reduce the buildup of flammable gases. Because ventilation can reduce the effectiveness of fire suppression, the industry is adopting the strategy of allowing fires in individual battery enclosures to burn out in a controlled manner. By preventing the propagation of fire between enclosures, the isolated fire consumes any flammable gases as they are produced, thus preventing explosions and avoiding problems with stranded energy and reignition, both of which have been issues with electric vehicle fires. The 24/7 monitoring systems of BESS containers include gas detection and monitoring to indicate potential risks. As the energy storage industry reduces risk and continues to enhance safety, industry members are working with first responders to ensure that fire safety training includes protocols that avoid explosion risk.
Prior to operation, we will develop an emergency response plan in accordance with industry best practices, which will outline the response procedures to be employed should an emergency arise at the project site. We will work closely and collaborate with the local departments and authorities when developing the emergency action plan and setting up fire road access.
We provide pre-construction training to all emergency response personnel, which includes a description of the project, any potential construction risks, and the role of emergency responders should an incident occur. After construction is complete, we will host the emergency response personnel for a site visit to make sure they are familiar with the system and our Emergency Action Plan.
The batteries themselves do not make any noise. Unlike other power infrastructure or generation facilities, BESS have very low noise profiles, with fans, HVAC systems, and transformers producing sounds at similar levels to standard commercial buildings.
BESS can be housed in a variety of enclosures or buildings. The typical enclosure looks like a shipping container. BESS are often unmanned and do not need light to function. Some may have lighting for security purposes, and this would be consistent with normal streetlighting.
BESS must comply with electrical and fire codes adopted at the state and local level. BESS owners must submit documentation on system certification, fire safety test results, hazard mitigation, and emergency response plans to the local Authority Having Jurisdiction for approval. Before operation, facility staff and emergency responders must be trained in safety procedures and are required to be given annual refresher training.
To learn more, refer to American Clean Power’s BESS Codes and Standards Overview. The U.S. storage industry has continuously supported the development of codes, standards, and best practices to promote safety.
BESS can last for 20 years or more. Battery degradation is based on various factors such as chemical composition, the number of charge and discharge cycles, and the temperature of the environment that the batteries are exposed to.
The US lithium-ion battery recycling industry is growing rapidly to accommodate batteries from both electric vehicles and BESS. Companies are moving beyond simple recovery of raw materials and into direct recycling of electrode materials that can be built sustainably and cost-effectively into new batteries. BESS provide the opportunity to repurpose batteries from end-of-life electric vehicles, extracting maximum usage for the benefit of consumers.