ROBERTA NEE ADAMSStaff Writer

While most people in and around the area are aware of the solar farm being built in Moore County, not many are well informed about the company and its principles. The company is Silicon Ranch. Its principles are surprising. Matt Beasley, Chief Commercial Officer, recently spoke to Sunrise Rotary Club about the company and its mission.

Unlike most solar farms that are built on leased land by developers who are gone when the job is done, Silicon Ranch buys their properties, develops them, funds, and operates them. They are “all in,” and they are committed to the communities they serve in numerous ways.

The Nashville based company was founded in 2011. Now in 2025 they are one of the largest independent power producers in the country. Their projects span 17 states across the country and one in Alberta, Canada. Silicon Ranch pioneered utility-scale solar in the Tennessee Valley in 2012, and now have over 35 operating facilities in the region. This represents a capital investment of over $2 billion, $125 million in tax payments to local counties, and 2,500 jobs created.

Just as important to Silicon Ranch’s energy production and positive economic contributions is their commitment to taking green energy to surprising lengths. All the materials used in setting up the solar ranch are American made, and over 90% recyclable. That is just the beginning.

Silicon Ranch was the first in the industry to co-locate renewable energy and regenerative agriculture. With their process of agrivoltaics (solar + agriculture) they can keep their lands zoned as agricultural. They graze sheep on their properties. They were the first solar company to own their own flock of sheep, with their Georgia based flock numbering over 3,000 sheep now. They are currently involved in a sheep genetics-improvement program to help re-build the U.S. sheep industry. Silicon Ranch plans to do the same in Moore County.

The company works with local environmental experts to assure that they not only maintain the integrity of the land, but actually improve it. This involves being sure to replant local grasses and plants for grazing and for attracting pollinators. Some of Silicon Ranch’s facilities have bee hives. Silicon Ranch buys the honey from the bee keeper, bottles it, and gives it out as promotional items.

In Moore County, Silicon Ranch is working with Tony Grow, a professional environmentalist and owner of Grow Environmental Solutions, to maintain and improve the site environment. Beasley reports that already there has been a species of crawfish and a wildflower that were previously not known to be in this area. Measures will be taken to ensure that both continue to thrive. The land health is monitored, scored, and verified by a third party annually at their sites to show measurable outcomes. Though the Moore County site is 3,484 acres, and the largest of Silicon Ranch’s projects, solar panels will be erected on less than half of that land.

Silicon Ranch works with local communities as sources for feed, hay, equipment, and manpower. They are very active in partnering with 4-H, Future Farmers, and other agricultural programs for students. They offer scholarships for students wishing to further their education in agricultural endeavors.

Construction on the Moore County substation is to begin this month, and project completion is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027. The usable lifetime of the solar panels is 40 years. As Silicon Ranch owns the land, it can then replace the solar panels and continue providing clean energy and a number of benefits to the community.