Two new solar farms coming to southern Chesapeake farmland
Two new solar farms are coming to Chesapeake after the City Council approved both projects in 7-1 votes Tuesday.
Pocaty River Solar and Land of Promise Solar requested conditional use permits for the construction and operation of facilities at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Council member Debbie Ritter voted against the projects. Council member Ella P. Ward was absent from the meeting.
Both projects, which would connect to the grid through existing Dominion Energy power poles, are located about a half mile apart in agricultural districts in southern Chesapeake.
Pocaty River Solar will be built on 26.5 acres of land and provide 2 megawatts of energy, or enough solar electricity for up to 400 homes, according to city planning department documents. The project is planned for the west side of Long Ridge Road across Carolina Road.
Land of Promise Solar will take up 38 acres and will provide 5 megawatts of energy and be constructed on the east side of Long Ridge Road.
Both projects intend to participate in Virginia’s shared solar program, said Andy Hull, a representative of Apex Clean Energy, one of the developers of the project.
“Shared solar is a unique opportunity for Virginians because it allows Virginia residents to subscribe directly to power that is produced from these facilities and in so doing, potentially save about 10% on their monthly electricity bills,” Hull said.
The City Council has approved seven other utility solar energy projects to-date, according to the city planning department.
The projects approved Tuesday will also include a $2.6 million upgrade of local distribution lines, which Hull said will improve its resiliency.
The projects will not cause property taxes for residents to increase, Hull said, and there will be no significant impact to local homes. Hull also assured the council that the project would be safe and healthy for residents.
“There’s a lot of misconception out there (about solar technology). But I’m here to tell you with a straight face that there’s nothing toxic and the materials that we’re going to be using. There’s not going to be any leakage, it does not cause cancer,” he said.
Three residents spoke to the council all in favor of the solar farms.
“I’ve lived on Long Ridge Road most of my life. This property is directly behind my house. I’ll sit on my porch, and I can see it and I have no problem with this property, with this project,” said Darien Lowe.
The projects were approved under stipulations, including planting and maintaining pollinator-friendly trees to provide coverage. The nearly 9-foot-tall solar panels will be surrounded by 2.3 miles of trees, Hull said.
“The solar policy that the city has is one of the most robust that I’ve ever seen countrywide,” he said.
The city’s solar use policy, which is used to guide consideration of solar energy facility permit applications, was adopted in 2019 and most recently updated in 2022.
Gabby Jimenez, gabrielle.jimenez@virginiamedia.com
