Several representatives of Silicon Ranch (SR) solar farm and LPL Solar attended May’s Moore County Planning Commission meeting to update the commission on progress at the site, and to address former issues. Bryan Runion with SR introduced the group.

Material deliveries are now almost 100% complete, so withing a few days truck traffic will drop significantly. The piles are almost completely installed, and solar panels are approximately 40% installed. Once the panels are installed, the workforce will drop substantially. Along with it, traffic will drop even more.

The roads are being patched, and, at the request of Highway Superintendent Shannon Cauble, smaller potholes will be repaired before they become major problems, and repairs will be ongoing. The unapproved ingress/ egress areas are being blocked. More rumble strips have been added in some entrances, and tire washing is being done as necessary to remove mud before trucks leave the site. SR and LPL Solar have just completed their report addressing the issues TDEC had named as needing to be resolved, and they are awaiting TDEC’s response.

Chair Dexter Golden had asked at last month’s meeting that SR check the perimeter fence post at Five Points Road, as it seemed to be short of the 85’ setback. Runion said it was checked and found to be 75’ from the center of the road, so it will be moved back 10” to be in compliance.

The vegetation buffer that is to be put in place was the discussed. The buffer is shown on the site plan, and that plan is to be sent to the Regenerative Energy Group, who works with SR on vegetation and sheep. The buffer will include area native species of plants, including evergreens, to build a screen around the site. Planting for the buffer will begin in the fall, when the plants have the best chance of survival. The sheep will be brought in when all other aspects of the site are complete.

The commission seemed satisfied with the report and with the answers to their questions. Chair Dexter Golden thanked them for their attendance and the update.