FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is TED Renewables?

Tyr Energy Development Renewables – known as TED Renewables – is headquartered in Kansas and focuses on the development of renewable energy projects in the United States.

Why solar?

Solar energy is clean, reliable, and affordable – features that make it the fastest-growing source of electricity in the world. Solar’s many benefits have made it popular with individuals, families, and businesses across America and around the globe.

Are solar panels noisy?

No – solar panels don’t make any noise at all! However, inverters and transformers – the equipment that takes the direct current (DC) electricity produced by the solar panels and converts it to alternating current (AC) electricity, which is what the electricity grid uses – do generate a low humming sound, but you’d have to be very close to the equipment to hear it. As such, the “noise” levels are imperceptible to nearby residents.

What are the visual impacts of solar?

At Cherry Valley Solar, the natural vegetation and topography of the site mean that views of the facility from surrounding residences will be very limited.

Will this project raise my power bills?

Not a bit! Cherry Valley Solar will not raise local electricity prices. If anything, adding solar power to the generation mix can help stabilize electricity costs, because solar power is sold under long-term contracts with stable, predictable pricing. TED Renewables will be partnering with a company or utility that is looking to add solar power to its mix of power consumption. The reason companies are interested in buying solar power, is that the cost of solar power has dropped by more than 70% since 2010, and solar is now one of the lowest-cost options for electricity generation.

Where will the power generated from the project go?

The clean, renewable power produced by Cherry Valley Solar will be delivered to the local Arkansas electrical grid, helping to diversify the state’s energy portfolio. The ultimate buyer of the power is yet to be determined.

What happens if the solar farm goes out of use?

The project will be fully insured so should any unforeseen damages occur the project will be repaired and up and running as soon as possible. The project owner is also required, under the terms of its lease with the local landowner, to dismantle the project at the end of its useful life.

What happens to solar panels at the end of their life?

At the end of a solar facility’s useful life – estimated to be about 40 years on average – panels can be removed and recycled. Recycling programs are being developed that are expected to recover about 90% of the materials used in the panels, much of which is glass. Other raw materials like steel and aluminum will also be recycled.

How will Cherry Valley Solar generate power in the winter? Will it be impacted by heavy snow or extreme cold?

Cold, sunny weather is ideal for solar panels to perform optimally. A light dusting of snow has little impact on the panels, and because they’re tilted at an angle, heavier snow will usually slide off the panels, cleaning them in the process. In the event of a heavier snowfall, panels will be cleared by facility employees.

What happens to neighboring property values?

Extensive research has been done regarding the impact of solar farms on property values, and there is simply no evidence anywhere that solar facilities affect property values – and this holds true whether the solar facility is located near residential, agricultural, or industrial properties.

Are solar panels safe?

Solar panels are very safe. They have no moving parts other than the simple tracking system that slowly tilts the panels toward the sun. They produce electricity without using any fuel aside from the clean power of sunshine! Solar panels help make the environment safer for everyone because they don’t cause air or water pollution or use water resources to operate.

Does solar harm agricultural land?

Not at all! Solar projects have very little physical impact on land, which is primarily limited to the installation of underground cabling and holes to support the racks for the panels – both of these impacts are easily reversed if and when the project is decommissioned, making it easy to return the land to agriculture if desired. Importantly, hosting a solar project gives the land a chance to rest and restore soil quality, and the presence of stable vegetation can help reduce runoff and improve local water quality.