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Responsible solar development provides benefits to both agriculture and ecosystems by improving soil health, retaining water, nurturing native species, and supporting native pollinators which support local food production. In addition, solar farms help farmers and landowners diversify their income by providing a reliable, drought-resistant revenue stream. This steady income means that farmers are less vulnerable to fluctuations in market prices on their products, uncertain trade regimes, and volatile annual weather, thus helping farmers stay in business. Additionally, at the end of its useful life the project will be decommissioned, and the land will be available for all future potential uses, including traditional agriculture.
Section 6f of the UZC requires the applicant to submit a Community Impact Assessment with the Conditional Use Application. Since Branch Line Solar is being sited on voluntarily leased ground that is currently used for agriculture purposes, we are required to include in our Community Impact Assessment the anticipated impact the current enterprise (that being agricultural practices) has on the local economy, as well as assess how the local economy will be impacted from the loss of this enterprise if solar is sited on the property instead.
The risk of fire at large-scale solar facilities is very low. The equipment used for such projects will be electronically monitored 24/7 and physically monitored throughout the standard work week. It is the number one priority to ensure the safe operation of a project facility and the safety of nearby residents and landowners. As the project is being developed, Branch Line Solar will work with local fire departments regarding all necessary procedures for the safe handling of fires within the facility. As a result of this prudent planning, fires within a project are highly unlikely to occur.
Section 6v of the UZC requires the applicant to identify the potential fire risk that may be associated with a sited solar facility. This includes identifying any risk of prescribed or nonprescribed burning. Furthermore, since Branch Line Solar is located in an unincorporated portion of Sedgwick Couty, the Sedgwick County Fire District #1 will need to review and approve our fire safety plans.
Industry studies show that large-scale solar power facilities economically benefit the community and do not decrease residential property resale values. The increase in county revenues generated by a facility typically leads to more funding for local services like schools, roads and emergency services without putting additional strain on resources.
Yes! Solar technology has been used far and wide since the 1950s and modern solar technology is safe for use on residential homes, schools, and undeveloped land. There is a very low risk of fire or emergency situations at large-scale solar facilities, and solar panel components do not pose any risk to the surrounding environment, soil or water. Safety is the number one priority for Branch Line Solar, and there will be close coordination with local emergency responders as the Project advances.
Impacts on local wildlife are minimal. Environmental experts assess a project’s footprint by conducting site-specific studies to understand and mitigate potential impacts on wildlife. The native plant species included in the proposed seed mix include a mixture of grasses and forbs that may provide habitat and feeding ground for a multitude of pollinators, birds and other small animals. Small local wildlife will be able to come and go through wildlife friendly fencing, including rabbits and other small mammals as well as turtles and other small reptiles. Fencing will be set back from public roadways, and larger animals, such as deer, will be able to safely traverse around the project area. The project will comply with state and federal wildlife regulations, including requirements of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Section 6i of the UZC requires the applicant to submit an Environmental Assessment that will address any potential impacts the project may have on wildlife habitat, bird migration, flood zones, and flora and fauna. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has confirmed that we are not impacting any sensitive species within the Project area.
As part of the permitting process, Branch Line Solar will provide a detailed decommissioning plan and a financial commitment to implement the same. At the end of the Project’s useful life (35-40 years on average), panels can be removed and re-used or recycled. Up to 90% of the materials used in panels, much of which is glass and aluminum, are recyclable.
Branch Line Solar plans to utilize existing trees and vegetation along adjacent public roadways as a natural buffer between the Project and public viewshed. The Project team has developed a vegetative screening plan that includes new landscape plantings, wildlife fencing, and natural vegetation to minimize project visibility from roads and nearby residences.
Section 6h of the UZC requires the applicant to submit a concept plan of the proposed facility, which includes “the location and nature of proposed buffers and Screening elements, including vegetative and constructed buffers, and existing landforms (i.e., natural berms, hills, rocky outcrops, etc.) intended to be used as a buffer or screening.” Branch Line Solar has developed visual simulations of what the site is anticipated to look like once operational.
No. Large-scale solar projects must follow strict electrical safety codes governing the design, construction, and operation of any project. With modern-day underground collection and transmission lines used in the construction of solar projects, stray voltage will not impact neighboring farms. On-site project staff will oversee the day-to-day operations of a solar farm to assure the site continues to follow all applicable codes and regulations.
Under normal operating conditions, solar panels do not leach chemicals into the ground. Modern solar panels are primarily made of glass, aluminum, and silicon, and the small amounts of solid metals inside are fully sealed within durable encapsulant layers that prevent water or soil from ever coming into contact with them, even after decades of exposure to Midwest weather. Independent reviews from state energy agencies and scientific studies consistently find that solar panels pose little, if any, risk of releasing chemicals into soil or groundwater during normal use.
Section 5g(6)(a) of the UZC requests that the applicant provide information specific to the type of solar technology that is proposed to be used with the solar facility. This includes the makeup of the panel, the type of mounting system to be used, the height of cabling and transmission infrastructure, etc.
Yes. The Branch Line Solar Project will be located on private land under long term lease arrangements and at the end of the life of the project, the project will be decommissioned, and the land will be available again for farming. This is in stark contrast to other developments, such as commercial or industrial building projects, which often leave land unusable for agriculture again. During construction, native vegetation – often friendly to bees and other pollinators – will be planted. The deep roots of native vegetation retain more water than turf grass during heavy storms and periods of drought. They also retain topsoil and improve soil health over time.
The project will survey local roads prior to the start of construction and once construction has been completed to identify any repairs to be completed at Branch Line Solar's expense. Furthermore, the project has been coordinating with the county and has developed a construction management plan and road use plan based on industry experts and consultation with Sedgwick County.
Solar panels are designed to ensure minimal reflection as any reflected light is lost energy; therefore, the panels are designed with antireflective coating to absorb the maximum amount of light. Residents are unlikely to experience any glare from solar panels, but if they do it would be weaker glare than from a building's window. The project conducted a glare analysis as part of the Conditional Use Application process with Sedgwick County. The result of the study concluded no concern related to potential glare from the Branch Line Solar project.
Section 6h of the UZC requires all applicants to provide a Solar Glare Hazard Analysis.
The project will utilize wildlife-friendly fencing which will allow small animals, such as rabbits and reptiles, to go back and forth through the fencing. The project is not being sited on one contiguous square area of fenced ground. Rather, the project will be comprised of several fenced sections of ground connected underground to one another. Larger animals, such as deer, will be able to traverse through and around the total project area.
Section 5d(3) of the UZC requires the applicant to submit a Landscape Plan that identifies the location of wildlife corridors within the proposed solar facility site.
Branch Line Solar will file a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that specifically addresses runoff both during construction and while the project is operating. In addition, the project will plant deep-rooted vegetation beneath the solar panels and throughout the project footprint. Establishing deep-rooted vegetation throughout the array will allow the ground to rest and build nutrient-rich soil. The well-rested, nutrient-filled soil will also help with erosion control and water runoff impacts in, near, and around the solar site.
Section 6j of the UZC requires the applicant to provide information that addresses the following: storm water drainage, soil erosion, and sediment control. The applicant shall inform the permitting authority (i.e. Sedgwick County) on how they intend to prevent drainage issues from occurring on the site. Sedgwick County Department of Environmental Resources, the Conservation District, and the Noxious Weed Department will review these plans as necessary.
Section 6i of the UZC requires the applicant to provide any soil and groundwater test results that may have been done as part of the site due diligence to the Director of Sedgwick County Department of Environmental Resources and Household Hazardous Waste. The testing is based on contaminants of concern listed by the EPA and may be subject to change.
Prior to construction commencing, the applicant will be required to conduct soil and groundwater testing, as well as every five years during the operational life of the SECS. Furthermore, after the site has been decommissioned and reclaimed in accordance with the zoning code, the owner of the facility shall conduct a final round of testing.
Branch Line Solar is committed to providing these test results based on the requirements of the zoning code and will comply with any further recommendations provided by the MAPC.
It is common for participating landowners to participate with a portion of their total ground and continue farming other non-participating acres of ground. It is also typical for participating landowners to continue living locally after the solar facility is constructed, spending income locally, to the benefit of the local economy throughout the operation of the project.
Branch Line Solar will be utilizing a vegetative management plan that incorporates pollinator-friendly habitats and deep-rooted native vegetative ground cover throughout the project footprint. The additional pollinator-friendly habitat has the potential to increase nearby pollinator-impacted foliage and crops.
The project will make a significant financial investment in the seed purchased for ground cover, which will offer excellent habitats for small animals, birds, and insects.
As part of Branch Line Solar’s lease agreements with landowners and as required by the County, the Project will be responsible for the removal of all equipment from leased land at the end of the Project’s useful life. The removal of equipment and restoration of the host site is referred to as ‘decommissioning’.
A Decommissioning Plan will be submitted during permitting, which details the responsibility of the Project to remove equipment and return land to a similar state as was present before the Project was constructed. As part of the Decommissioning Plan, the Project will agree to post a bond or similar financial surety to ensure the funds necessary to decommission are consistently available throughout the life of the Project; this bond provides a financial guarantee that the Project will bear the cost to decommission and that host landowners (with whom the Project has leased ground for this temporary land-use purpose) and/or host communities will not be responsible for any costs. The decommissioning bond remains in effect for the life of the Project regardless of any ownership transfer and/or in the highly unlikely circumstance of bankruptcy.
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