Kerr Lake Solar

A varied energy portfolio, including solar, enhances the resilience and reliability of the power grid, which can help get the lights back on quicker so that power is available when residents need it most.

This site was chosen based on a variety of factors that are important for solar development. Among other things, this includes the project’s impact on the state’s decarbonization goals, demand for energy in the region, proximity to existing high voltage transmission lines, minimal environmental and community impacts, suitable topography, and landowner interest.

At Cypress Creek, we are committed to establishing lasting, positive relationships with our host communities and ensuring that residents gain from any proposed development. Kerr Lake Solar will generate nearly $3.6 million in tax revenue for local districts during its 40-year life that could benefit roads, schools, and first-responders. During its construction period, it will create roughly 150 jobs and add an estimated $18.4 million to the local economy. Additionally, Cypress Creek has a long history of community-based grants and initiatives tailored to the individual communities we serve.

• Kerr Lake Solar shall develop a Road Use Plan that (i) limits the number of access points to White Farm Lane, and (ii) enables construction traffic to maximally use site internal roads rather than publicly used roads.
• All publicly used roads shall be returned to pre-construction status within two months of construction at Kerr Lake Solar’s sole expense. To the extent required, Kerr Lake Solar shall reserve and allocate up to $300,000 for this purpose.
• During the operational phase of the project, Kerr Lake Solar shall allocate and budget up to $300,000 for routine road maintenance over the life of the project, to include repairs, upgrades, and topping to ensure that White Farm Lane’s condition is equal to or exceeds its current condition.

• September 2024: Submit a Special Use Permit (SUP) Application to Vance County. Submit to Duke Energy.
• October 2024: Board of Adjustment Hearing
• January 2025: Duke shortlist award notices received. If selected, project enters into Phase I Study.
• May 2025: Duke awards announced. If selected, project becomes ‘real’ and advances into next study.
• H1 2026: Execute Agreement with Duke Energy
• Late 2027- Early 2028: Earliest construction start

During construction, we will seek to minimize the use of White Farm Lane to the greatest extent possible. Nevertheless, use of the road may, at times, be necessary which can result in modest road wear and temporary traffic disruptions as well as increased dust. Cypress Creek will mitigate any potential impacts by implementing comprehensive traffic management strategies including road upgrades, scheduling transportation of materials during off-peak hours whenever possible, and spraying water to help control any dust.

After construction, the project would require only minimal maintenance with no significant impact on traffic or road conditions to White Farm Lane or its surrounding road network. We estimate that proper maintenance will require use of the road by a single truck, roughly every two weeks.

Kerr Lake Solar will have minimal ongoing impacts to the surrounding viewshed. The project will be set back 100 feet from the road’s centerline and will be surrounded by vegetative screening. At maturity, it is unlikely that the project will be significantly visible through the vegetative buffer.

Studies conducted in many states (North Carolina included) by local appraisers have found little to no negative impact from solar projects such as Kerr Lake on surrounding property values.

Cypress Creek is committed to responsible development. Our team of environmental professionals works with external environmental experts to assess, minimize, and mitigate wetlands and environmental impacts through thoughtful project design during and after construction. Common practices include establishment of avoidance areas, implementation of water quality buffers for all features even when there isn’t a regulatory requirement, time of year clearing restrictions to avoid impacts to protected species, and strict adherence to erosion control measures.

There are no anticipated “heat island” effects on surrounding homes and neighbors. Like any structure, solar panels raise the temperature immediately around them a few degrees while the sun is shining on them, but temperatures quickly return to normal as you move away from the panels themselves as heat from solar panels dissipates rapidly and becomes undetectable at approximately 100 feet.

Industry and government oversight
Our solar equipment meets the highest national standards (ANSI and UL4) and is constructed under the oversight of local and state building and electrical codes

Environmentally safe
Modern solar equipment does not have any negative effects on the atmosphere, soil, or groundwater.

Security
Kerr Lake Solar will be remotely monitored 24/7. We intend to contract with local technicians to manage maintenance and emergency response.

Glare
Solar panels are designed to absorb light and are mounted at an angle allowing for maximum light absorption. Therefore, it is not possible to experience glare at ground level. We work with the Federal Aviation Authority to ensure the solar panels do not interfere with air traffic.

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs)
The established, internationally acceptable limit for EMF exposure for the public is 833 milligauss (mG), and our equipment falls significantly below this limit. The level of EMFs noticed 1–2 feet away from our equipment pad is like standing next to your television. At 150 feet away, the EMF levels drop below 0.5 mG, often falling to the background level of Earth’s magnetic field of 0.2 mG.

At the end of the project’s lifespan, Cypress Creek will remove the system’s equipment, conduits, structures, fencing, and foundations to a depth of at least 3 feet below grade as well as employ all available measures to ensure that reusable components are recycled whenever feasible. The land is then reseeded with a local seed mix and can be repurposed for agriculture or other uses.

Cypress Creek is committed to responsibly decommissioning all our projects at the end of their useful lives, including Kerr Lake Solar. Additionally, every project is contractually obligated to decommission per our lease/purchase agreements with our landowner partners. Lastly, per North Carolina law, all utility-scale solar projects will require documentation of financial assurance which is submitted to North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality for review and approval.

Yes, Cypress Creek’s Bullock Solar project, situated at 5495 Jacksontown Road, Manson, NC 27553, constructed in 2017, features a road bisecting the project area.