Solar facility overview
Published 10:02 am Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Publisher’s Note: This is the first in a series of reports concerning Kenbridge Solar. In the coming weeks, there will be additional information and developments about the project.
Glenn Millican
More details have been forthcoming concerning a 11.5-acre solar facility project proposed for Lunenburg County.
The project, called Kenbridge Solar, is being headed by Hexagon-Energy, a Charlottesville-based energy development firm that, according to an application submitted to the county that was provided to The Dispatch, advises companies such as Dominion Energy on the renewable energy industry.
The project is estimated to contain 2 megawatts (MW) and is considered direct-current (DC).
Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels will be placed on the plot, which would be located on a larger, nearly 200-acre parcel of land. There are proposed to be approximately 5,800 solar PV panels for the project, according to the application.
The site, according to the application, is described as having little impact to traffic, noise, light pollution or hazardous materials.
More information about concerns of potential health impacts will be available in a future Dispatch report.
The energy generated from the solar facility, the application cited, is proposed to be sold to Dominion Energy.
The energy is also proposed to be transmitted to Dominion Energy’s power grid in the county. “The energy will be transmitted to the Dominion power grid (the Grid) through an on-site interconnection with the existing 12.47 kilovolt (kV) distribution line that runs along Hickory Road south of the Project Area,” the application cited.
The facility is proposed to be located in the county at 284 Hickory Road. The property owner’s name on the application is Alice Rudd Roby. Bill Roby, Alice’s son, has been involved in the project development.
Lunenburg County Planner Glenn Millican said planning commission members during a meeting held Jan. 15 voted to table the proposal as county officials and the applicants work on regulations for the facility.
Millican said solar facilities are a relatively new industry, not only for Lunenburg County but for much of Virginia as well.
