ELKTON, VA (WHSV) – A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in Elkton for a new solar facility Thursday morning.
Leslie Elder, vice president of policy and regulatory affairs for Summit Ridge Solar, said this solar farm is a shared solar facility, which is unique in the industry.
“It is a project that is built off-site, and folks can subscribe to the facility,” Elder said. “This is a way for you to get the benefits of solar without having to install it on your roof.”
Elder said this solar facility is the first of 25 planned facilities in Virginia to go online. When looking for a site, Summit Ridge Energy not only had to find a landowner to host the facility but also a spot that is close to distributed lines.
Leroy Heatwole is the owner and operator of Scenic L Farms, the farm that houses this new solar facility. Heatwole said he was reached out to by multiple energy companies. When solar was brought to his attention, Heatwole said he wanted to help the community power their homes.
The farm is about 95 acres, with the solar farm taking up about 23 acres, Heatwole said. As for upkeep of the facility, Heatwole said he will manage the facility the same as other parts of the farm.
“It will be a little more work to keep the grass down in [the solar farm] as it would the other crop fields,” Heatwole said. “I think about the fact that we will be generating power for the community at the same time. I love it.”
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Read more: WHSV, by Olivia Whitehouse.
Related links:
Summit Ridge Energy to Deliver Energy Savings to Virginians with New 4.1MW Solar Installation