The Blue Moon Solar Project land position currently consists of approximately 1,581 acres, with an estimated final footprint of approximately 651 acres of which will host project infrastructure. Harrison County comprises over 93,600 acres of land, so the land hosting project infrastructure will account for less than 1% of Harrison County’s total acreage yet will generate enough energy to power 14,000 homes annually. The Blue Moon Solar Project will generate $2.4 million of long-term additional revenue to Harrison County over the project’s anticipated operational life, of which $1.4 million will go to Harrison County. The significant tax increase will improve local schools, emergency services, and other infrastructure improvements.

In the last decade, the cost to install solar has dropped by more than 70%, and as of Q4 2020, prices are at their lowest historical level across all market segments. Due to continuing technological innovations, new utility-scale solar energy projects are now often cost-competitive with new natural gas generation. In fact, new solar projects are often cheaper than both coal and natural gas. Because solar PV is a technology and not a fuel (like oil, gas and coal), costs will continue to decline as research continues to improve existing technology.

Examining property values across the United States demonstrates that large-scale solar projects like the Blue Moon Solar 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.

The Blue Moon Solar Project will use construction methods that minimize large-scale grading and removal of native soil. Minor grading may be needed, but we take the conservation of topsoil very seriously. Typical construction practices require that topsoil be stripped and preserved onsite prior to performing cut/fill operations. The preserved topsoil will be redistributed across the graded areas to assist in growing adequate ground cover as quickly as possible to provide ground stabilization. The site cut and fill will be appropriately balanced, with no anticipation of import/export necessary.

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 Blue Moon Solar Project—repays its carbon footprint 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.

A natural resource assessment has been conducted on the Blue Moon Solar Project site. No designated critical habitat for state or federally listed species, including the Northern Long-Eared Bat, exists within the project area. Indian Creek flows through portions of the Project area and may contain suitable habitat for listed freshwater mussel species; however, impact to this creek is not anticipated as a result of the Project.

Once constructed, solar projects produce no pollution, emissions, or noise. Further, vegetation can grow under the panels, and solar facilities can provide sanctuaries for flora and fauna to thrive.

Limited fencing will be erected around panel areas as a security measure in accordance with industry best practices and local requirements. However, waterways in the project area will not be fenced to allow continued wildlife access to the water resource.

Our screening and vegetation management activities will conform to the Harrison County Code. 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.

A wetland delineation has been performed on the Blue Moon Solar Project site. Continued coordination with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will occur to determine if features identified on site are jurisdictional. The project will maintain a 25-foot setback from all identified, jurisdictional features. As project design is finalized, if impacts to waters on site cannot be avoided, appropriate permits will be secured.

The construction of the Blue Moon Solar Project will not require toxic chemicals or processes. Photovoltaic (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 Blue Moon Solar 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 Blue Moon Solar 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 the groundcover. Any excess rainwater leaves the site as stormwater runoff, just as it does now.

Due to the average amount of rainfall Harrison County normally experiences, we do not anticipate washing the panels. However, if washing is required, when cleaning the solar panels, we will use distilled water, because ground water can leave a film or deposits on the panels. No chemicals or solvents will be used during the panel cleaning process.

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¢/kilowatt (kW) hour – 9.2¢/kW hour 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 2023, 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.