Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to develop a solar farm from land agreement to starting to produce power?

Developing a solar farm typically takes three to five years. Like any land development process, developing a solar farm requires obtaining permits, studying environmental impacts, securing contracts with the utility to sell and transmit power, designing the solar farm, etc. It is a complex process that brings together many elements to provide a new source of green energy that is entirely carbon free with an unlimited fuel supply!

How does a solar farm work?

Solar farm architecture is simple. The solar panels which generate electricity from sunlight are mounted on galvanized steel racks on posts driven into the soil with no concrete footers. The panels are connected to one another by wiring which is aggregated to bring the current created by the sun’s irradiation into inverters, which transform the current into alternating current (AC). The AC electricity then goes into a transformer to raise the voltage level high enough to transmit the green energy on the grid.

What should I expect during construction?

The solar farm construction process begins with minimal ground preparation to remove any brush or trees that obstruct the process and install erosion control measures. The racking posts are driven directly into the ground, the panels are mounted on top and the wiring run to combiner boxes and inverters and from there to the transformer. Construction can last from 12 to 18 months.

What happens if site is damaged due to weather?​

Solar farms are always insured against hail and weather damage and typically equipped with special weather detection equipment that helps minimize damage to the site. The equipment is under warranty and the site is guaranteed to produce power.​

What is the typical lifecycle of the equipment?

Solar panels generate electricity and have a useful life of over 40 years.

What happens to the equipment at the end of the term?

GreenGo Energy leases include contractual obligations to remove the panels, inverters, racking and transformers and restore the land to its original condition.

What is the impact on neighbors?

​Solar farms are quiet, unobtrusive neighbors with no night-time illumination, no noxious odors, and minimal to no noise. Once operational, they create no traffic. Multiple studies have shown that the impact of solar farms to neighboring property values is statistically minimal provided the solar farm is setback at least 300 feet from residences (a parameter GreenGo always implements). Solar farms can be much better neighbors than alternative agricultural uses such as chicken farms, hog farms, or slaughter houses.

Are solar farms subsidized by the US government?

Solar investments don’t receive handouts from the government, but they do qualify for tax reductions and tax breaks. Basically the federal government encourages investment in solar farms and US manufacturing of solar components by offering companies the opportunity to reduce their tax burden by putting money into solar projects. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act included provisions to extend the Investment Tax Credit for solar energy investments as well as requiring solar developers to pay higher wages and use at least 40% US-made components.

Are the solar components made in the US?

As mentioned above, solar farms are incentivized to ensure that at least 40% of the components used are manufactured in the USA. One of the main solar panel suppliers employed by GreenGo is a US company that manufactures domestically. GreenGo favors US produced racking and tracker systems.

What is the tax burden on the community?

Solar farms provide significant revenue to the local government via property taxes like any other business in the county. Unlike other businesses, solar farms don’t burden any of the community services, such as EMS, schools or traffic services. That means a solar farm increases the county income without increasing its costs, providing funds for education, services, improvements, etc. or simply making lower taxes possible.

Will this bring jobs or other benefits to our community?

On top of bringing new income to the local community, solar farms also attract new investment. Many companies are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint by powering their processes with green energy. Locations near solar farms are often sought after as potential investments sites, bringing new jobs and investment to the community.