Fayetteville PWC proposes solar farm on Carvers Falls Road near Cape Fear River

Cumberland County is moving forward with plans for a new solar farm after the Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on May 19, 2025, to discuss zoning case ZON24Z31. The proposed solar farm, covering nearly 45 acres, is located just east of Ramsey Street and aims to transition from planned neighborhood development to agricultural conditional zoning.

The project, spearheaded by the City of Fayetteville through Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC), is designed to promote renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. David DeChamps, the project’s agent, emphasized the importance of the solar farm in meeting federal mandates for carbon footprint reduction and providing a more sustainable energy source for the community.

During the meeting, several key points were raised regarding the project’s environmental impact, particularly concerning noise levels and water runoff. The proposed site is surrounded by wooded areas, and plans include a 50-foot buffer zone with additional plantings to minimize visibility and noise from the solar farm. However, local residents expressed concerns about the adequacy of these buffers and the potential for increased water runoff due to the clearing of trees.

The planning board had previously reviewed the project and recommended approval, noting that the solar farm would help mitigate future electricity rate increases for Fayetteville residents. The project is expected to produce approximately 5 megawatts of energy, which will offset some of the electricity currently purchased from Duke Energy.

Commissioners discussed the need for a stormwater management plan, which will be reviewed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as part of the approval process. This plan will address concerns about water runoff and ensure that the project complies with state regulations.

The timeline for the project indicates that construction could begin soon, with plans to energize the solar farm by January 2026. As the county moves forward, the focus will remain on balancing renewable energy development with community concerns about environmental impacts and land use.