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?
Our solar farms feature arrays of panels mounted in frames that each utilize a computer-controlled motorized tracking system that slowly moves the panels, enabling them to follow the sun throughout the day and always maintain optimal alignment with the sun to maximize the amount of solar energy captured, which in turn results in the highest production of electrical energy. Our solar farms typically sit on 500 or more acres of land.
What is a data center?
A data center is a climate-controlled facility that houses computer servers and related equipment used to store and process data accessed through the internet.
Data centers vary widely in size depending on the businesses they serve and whether power is generated on-site. The largest technology companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta—often called “hyperscalers”—operate facilities that can span hundreds of acres and include multiple buildings filled with server racks.
Are solar farms and data centers loud?
In the interior portions of solar farms, the inverters make a minor humming sound, but they can’t be heard at the perimeter of the solar farm. The cooling fans at data centers produce a low-frequency hum, which can be similar to the sound of a busy street. Similarly, low-frequency noise is created when back-up emergency generators run occasionally. There are measures that are being used to help reduce noise levels, such as variable-speed cooling fans, acoustic shrouds and louvers, upgraded mufflers on back-up generators and sound walls and earth berms. All of these measures used together can significantly reduce noise.
What impacts do data centers have on the environment?
Data centers require different infrastructure than solar farms, particularly to manage heat generated by computer servers. While older data centers often used large quantities of water for cooling, newer designs have significantly reduced water requirements. Cooling systems can also generate noise from fans. Variable-speed fans, specialized louvers, and enclosures can help minimize these effects.
While early data centers relied primarily on electric utilities, some newer facilities incorporate on-site power generation, including solar and natural gas turbines. This can reduce demand on the electrical grid. Generator noise can be mitigated through mufflers, enclosures, and earthen berms.
Will my community benefit?
Yes. Solar farms and data centers provide major tax revenue increases to local governments to fund schools and other essential services, reducing the tax burden on residential property owners. They can also sometimes supply other resources to schools, fire departments and other local government entities. In addition, they provide a major boost to the local economy during construction, as workers patronize hotels, motels and restaurants, make purchases at supermarkets and convenience stores, and visit barbers and other service businesses and retailers. After construction is completed and the facilities are in operation, they require ongoing site maintenance and upkeep, which can provide work for local businesses.
Do solar farms require a lot of maintenance? What about data centers?
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. Data centers require some site maintenance like solar farms, as well as some additional maintenance, primarily for the cooling and power generation systems (if the center doesn’t get its power from the utility grid). This additional maintenance is typically performed by specialized contractors, bringing more business to the area.
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.
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 or data center take to build?
Depending on size, the actual construction of a solar farm usually takes 12 to 24 months. Very large solar farms can take longer and may be built in phases. The length of time needed to build a data center likewise depends on its size. A smaller data center might take a year to 18 months, while a larger data center could take several years and be built out in phases.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is my land meet the requirements for a solar farm or data center?
We have stringent site requirements for solar farms and data centers. If you would like to learn more about our site criteria and our evaluation process to find out if your land is suitable for one of our projects, please visit our Land page.
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.