FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is Vesper Energy? What other solar projects has Vesper Energy developed?

Vesper Energy provides innovative solutions to today’s complex energy challenges. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vesper Energy is comprised of professionals who have collectively delivered more than 10 GW of renewable energy projects globally. Today, Vesper Energy’s development pipeline includes over 55 renewable energy and energy storage assets with a generating capacity of 17 GW; enough to power more than 2 million homes. Working with their customers, communities, and business partners, Vesper Energy develops, owns, and operates renewable energy projects across the United States with the goal to build a better energy infrastructure. www.vesperenergy.com/about 

Why is Vesper Energy developing the Vichy Solar Project in Maries County?

We pursue projects where we have earned the trust of landowners and, here in Maries County, our partners are excited to be a part of this project that will provide numerous benefits to their local community. Solar energy development on private land is a permissible use under Missouri state law. The landowners who entrust us with their land believe it's the best choice for their property and their family. They believe it's their right to choose what to harvest on their land and they've chosen to harvest the sun.

How do solar projects impact nearby property values?

Solar energy makes for a great neighbor. It is quiet, can be hidden, and does not produce a smell. But don’t take our word for it, see what experts in the industry are saying about solar and property values: Source - SEIA and Source - ACP.

What benefits will the Vichy Solar Project provide for the local area?

The Vichy Solar Project project will create a new, long-term source of funding for the community, including significant benefits for area schools. The project will create jobs in Maries County during construction and operations and may hire a variety of vendors and local services. Vichy Solar Project will also preserve farmland for future generations, making this project a great option for the community. To learn more about solar energy benefits, please head to our Benefits page.

What will the project look like? Will there be visual screening for the benefit of the residents and property owners adjoining the project?

Vichy Solar will be designed to retain the natural character of the community. We will work with a landscape designer to develop and implement a plan for evergreen-type vegetative screening for any project areas viewable from residential structures. Landscape screening is proven to minimize or eliminate visual impact of solar equipment.

What happens when the project is decommissioned?

Vesper Energy will adhere to all state and local rules regarding decommissioning to ensure the landowners and taxpayers are not impacted. Our lease agreements with landowners detail these obligations; including provisions to provide necessary resources to remove all equipment if the facility is decommissioned. Once the equipment is removed the land will be ready to farm as it will be in essentially the same condition it is today.

How are solar panels disposed of?

The vast majority of solar panels installed in the U.S. are still within their operational lifespans (typically 20-30 years). As such, cost-effective opportunities to recycle solar panels are limited. However, this is an issue the solar industry is working proactively to address, and as more solar panels reach end of life in the coming years, opportunities to recover and recycle the materials in solar panels will expand. Details on panel recycling can be found in the United States Environmental Protection Agency website, at https://www.epa.gov/hw/solar-panel-recycling.

Are Li-ion batteries safe?

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) use the same technology found in many widely used in consumer products, tools and electric vehicles, and well-designed BESS are safe and reliable. Fires involving BESS can occur, but only in extreme conditions. To reduce the risk of fire and ensure the safety of the system, each BESS is equipped with automatic fire suppression equipment, and its own air conditioning or cooling system to ensure it operates within the ideal temperature range. If a fire does occur, it is generally easily contained, and has only minimal, temporary impact on local air quality. Vesper Energy will work with local fire departments and emergency responders to ensure they have adequate training and equipment to respond to any safety issues that may arise.

Do Li-ion BESS contain hazardous materials?

The US EPA classifies and determines what qualifies as hazardous waste. Hazardous waste can range from liquids, solids, gases, or sludges and can be discarded commercial products, like cleaning fluids or pesticides, or the by-products of manufacturing processes. Recently, the US EPA released guidance requiring many types of lithium-ion batteries to be disposed of as hazardous waste. Vichy Renewable Energy is committed to following pertinent federal, state, and local disposal and recycling regulations. The high-quality Li-Ion batteries used for Vesper Energy’s BESS projects can be repurposed and reused in other utility-scale battery applications or downcycled and repurposed for other technology such as phones and tools. Each Li-ion battery unit is encased and compartmentalized to prevent any materials from interacting with the surrounding area. Vichy Renewable Energy is committed to following all relevant federal, state, and local regulations regarding environmental safety and will regularly review and update its policies to align with industry best practices

Will local first responders and firefighters need additional training?

A comprehensive emergency management plan will be created prior to construction. This will ensure safety personnel in the community are trained and able to respond appropriately.

Will the solar panels used at the Vichy Solar project project leak hazardous materials?

No. Vesper Energy is committed to only using solar panels that meet or exceed environmental safety standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These standards ensure that during normal operations - as well as in the unlikely event a solar panel is damaged - the panels will not release any substances or materials that are considered hazardous under federal law.

Do solar panels work on cloudy days?

Solar panels generate the most power in direct sunlight, but they can also produce power using indirect or diffuse sunlight – so they still work on cloudy days, and in fact, rain helps to keep solar panels operating efficiently by keeping them clean! Additionally, this project will be paired with energy storage. This allows us to store energy during peak solar production during the daytime and have it available during peak energy usage in the evening.

Do solar panels work in the winter?

Yes! Solar panels work well in cold weather. Snow and ice are also generally not an issue – small amounts of snow are usually blown off by the wind, or snow may slide off on its own because the panels are tilted at an angle to capture the maximum amount of sunlight. Both help keep the modules clean throughout the winter season.

Can the batteries be recycled?

Widespread adoption of BESS is still relatively new, so recycling opportunities are currently limited. However, the energy storage industry is working to develop recycling opportunities to meet future demand. Another option is to “downcycle” batteries and give them a second life in a different application when their performance falls below the level needed for a utility-scale power plant.

Do you want to learn even more about Solar? Check out our Sources page for more resources.

Address:
125 E John Carpenter Fwy, Suite 525
Irving, TX 75062

Contact:

573-206-8914 info@vichyrenewableenergy.com Vesper Energy Website

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