Solar development and traditional agriculture can co-exist side-by-side, and increasingly are found together. 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.
Panels are capable of withstanding harsh Iowa weather like torrential rain, heavy snowfall, high winds, and hail. Engineering studies, as well as actual severe weather have shown that solar farms are up for the challenge. If a damaging event occurs, there's no concern of contamination. The project owner will work with their insurer to restore safe operation as quickly as possible.
No. Pearl Button Solar will utilize silicon photovoltaic solar panels, which account for over 90% of solar panels installed today. The project will not use modules that contain cadmium telluride, but panels that use a crystalline lattice of silicon atoms to convert sunlight into electricity. Silicon is the second-most abundant material on Earth (after oxygen) and the most common semiconductor used in computer chips. It is nontoxic and does not pose a risk to public health or safety. When a project is decommissioned, the panels are likely to still be operable so panels can be reused elsewhere. Otherwise, the panels can be recycled or disposed in landfills designated for this type of material.
Yes. The Pearl Button Solar Project will be located on private land under long term lease arrangements and at the end of the operating term, 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. Solar arrays are constructed using steel posts driven into the ground to avoid pouring concrete. 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.
As part of the permitting process with Muscatine County and the Iowa Utilities Commission, Pearl Button Solar will submit a detailed decommissioning plan, a commitment to follow the plan, and a bond to cover all decommissioning costs. At the end of the project's operation term (40 years or more), panels will be removed from the site. At that time, the solar panels are likely to still be operational so they could be reused elsewhere. Otherwise, because up to 90% of the materials used in solar panels are recyclable, it's common for solar panels to lead a new life after decommissioning.
The risk of fire in a large-scale solar project is incredibly low. The project contains sensors that are capable of detecting a fire that could be occurring in a specific section of the array. These sensors will immediately notify Operation and Maintenance team members, who then can power off the array. The solar energy facility and its equipment will be operated and monitored to ensure proper safety of the equipment. The Pearl Button Solar Project will have a safety and security plan that details fire protection and related education for local fire responders. The project will work with local fire and EMS departments to ensure their thorough understanding of the project’s technology and proper emergency response procedures.
Impacts to local wildlife are expected to be minimal. Project environmental experts have been assessing the project footprint by conducting site-specific studies to understand and mitigate potential impacts on wildlife. The project will comply with all state and federal regulations associated with wildlife including requirements of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IowaDNR). 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.
No. Large-scale solar projects must follow strict electrical safety codes governing the design, construction, and operation of any project in Iowa. With modern-day underground collection and transmission lines used in the construction of solar farms, stray voltage will not impact neighboring farms. On-site project staff will oversee the day-to-day operations of the solar farm to assure the site continues to follow all applicable codes and regulations.
Solar panels are designed to ensure minimal reflection as any reflected light is lost energy; therefore, the panels are designed with anti-reflective 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.
As part of its permitting process, Pearl Button Solar will evaluate glint and glare with respect to everyday citizens and visitors. Further, the project will utilize single axis trackers, which allow the panels to track the sun as it moves across the sky and keep the panels perpendicular to the sun, minimizing the potential for glare.
Studies show that large-scale solar power facilities economically benefit the community and generally do not decrease residential property resale values following proper design and visual/sound mitigation. The increase in tax revenue generated by the facility typically leads to stronger school funding, levelized taxes, the potential for better roads, stabilized funding for emergency services, and more. Additionally, buyers may view the solar facility as a safe, quiet neighbor.
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. Birds, bees, and other wildlife will also find refuge among the grass and forbs within the project area. Larger animals, such as deer, will be able to traverse around fenced areas easily.
Pearl Button Solar will file a plan that specifically addresses runoff both during construction and while the project is operating. In addition, the project will plant deep-rooted native vegetation beneath the solar panels and throughout the project footprint. Establishing native 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.
As of 2022, Muscatine County had 201,753 acres of agricultural land. The total amount of land devoted to solar projects in a county is unlikely to be substantial in comparison. Additionally, a solar project will need seeds, equipment, and other products to maintain healthy ground cover. Lastly, the lease payments received by our partner landowners may enable them to make capital improvements to their operation which will continue to support the agricultural economy.
Pearl Button Solar’s lease agreements with landowners and Muscatine County both require that the Project will be responsible for the removal of equipment from land at the end of the Project’s operation term. The deconstruction and restoration of the 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 financial surety, acceptable to Muscatine County, to ensure the funds necessary to decommission are always available. 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 will remain in effect regardless of any ownership transfer and/or in the highly unlikely circumstance of bankruptcy.