We’re here to answer your questions.
Below are a few questions we are often asked, either by landowners or those in communities near solar farm construction.
What is a solar farm?
ISS solar farms feature an array of panels aligned with a tracking system that allows them to follow the sun throughout the day and collect its energy. Our solar farms sit on 150+ acres of land.
Is my land right for a solar farm?
ISS has stringent guidelines for site selection. If you would like to learn about our land acquisition process and find out if your land is suitable for a solar farm, visit our Land page.
Are solar farms loud?
No. On the interior of our solar farms, the inverters make a minor humming sound, but it is not audible at the perimeter of the farm.
Who handles permitting?
With ISS, landowners do not have to worry with various local, state, or federal permits. Our Land Department manages that for you.
Will my community benefit?
Yes. Our solar farms produce benefits without burdens. There’s increased economic expansion during construction, continued activity through site maintenance, and taxes given to local governments and school systems.
Are solar farms hard on the environment?
No. There is no permanent impact on the land we use for solar farms. In fact, after leases are completed, the land can be returned to agricultural use, unlike other developments like shopping centers.
Do solar farms produce glare?
No. Our PV panels collect sunlight and do not reflect it like concentrated or thermal panels do. Any reflected light for us represents wasted energy.
Do solar farms require a lot of maintenance?
No. Most of the maintenance for our solar farms is landscaping. In fact, solar farms require no water and little else in terms of other utilities.
Should I expect a lot of traffic during construction?
There is construction traffic, but we create a temporary on-site parking area and keep our crews off the roads as much as possible. Once a farm is built, traffic should return to normal.
How long does a solar farm take to build?
Depending on the size of the solar farm, construction can take anywhere from eight months to eighteen months.
Do solar panels contain liquids that could leak out if a panel gets damaged?
No. Solar panels do not contain liquids of any kind. They are solid state electrical devices, like your cell phone.
Do solar panels contain radioactive materials?
No. Solar panels do not contain radioactive materials.
What are solar panels made of?
Solar panels are mostly made of glass and plastic sheets surrounded by a metal frame. The glass top sheet is tempered for impact resistance and is treated to prevent glare. Between the glass top and the plastic bottom sheet are several layers of silicon with elements in them that absorb sunlight and convert its energy into electricity. Metallic conductors carry the electricity out of the solar panel to wires that take it to the inverters. In addition to the silicon layers, there is also an anti-reflective layer. The entire panel is sealed to prevent rain and the elements from getting inside.
What happens to solar panels at the end of their useful lives?
The first PV solar panels ever installed are still operating, so the lifetime for our solar farms is significant. Solar farm equipment contains recyclable components, so there are sustainable options for end-of-life management. Solar farm materials do not contain hazardous waste and do not require any special handling or treatment.