Planning Commission Recommends 12-MW Oral Oaks Solar Project, Cites Conditions on Slopes, Decommissioning and Panel Removal
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Summary
The commission unanimously recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a 12-megawatt Oral Oaks Solar array on a 128.239-acre parcel, subject to conditions addressing slopes, removal of materials, wetland avoidance, VDOT/VDH/agency requirements, site drainage testing and assurances on panel recycling and decommissioning.
The Lunenburg County Planning Commission on March 7 voted unanimously to recommend approval of Conditional Use Permit (CUP 1-23) for Oral Oaks Solar, a proposed 12-megawatt utility-scale solar array sited on parcel 058-0A-0-29 (128.239 acres) with frontage on Oral Oaks Road near Kenbridge.
Tom Holt of Amersco presented the project to the commission, outlining the project team, site plan, proposed panel technology and public-health and safety considerations. Commissioners asked multiple technical and siting questions: project naming and who would receive the substantial cash payment; whether the array would interconnect to Dominion Energy or a Southside cooperative; wetland location relative to the fenced area; installation method (drilled posts); wiring depth and whether conduit or wiring would remain underground; panel type and broken-panel handling; drainage to neighboring properties; and whether adjacent landowners had been contacted.
Mr. Holt said the panels were silicone-based, that mounting would use drilled posts, and that wiring depth would be about 18 inches though conduit might remain in the ground. He said broken panels would be removed for recycling or repurposing rather than left on site. He also said the project team planned water testing for drainage but had not yet spoken with an adjacent property owner about certain drainage questions. Assistant County Attorney Drew DiStanislao clarified that proposed conditions would prohibit creation of permanent slopes greater than 8% and would not permit panels on slopes greater than 15%.
Staff from Berkley Group (Linds Edwards) presented the staff report and recommendation. The landowner’s son, Jason Wilson, spoke in support and said the parcel was not suitable for farming and that the array would be located behind the residence and not visible from the road.
Commissioner Trent moved, and Commissioner Thompson seconded, a motion to recommend approval with conditions; the motion passed unanimously. Commissioners recorded supporting remarks during the roll call, describing the site as compact with a buffer and largely hidden from the road. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final review and action.
The commission’s conditions and the attorney’s clarification address slope limits, wetland avoidance, compliance with state and federal regulations, and expectations for panel removal and recycling at end of life; the record notes that some technical items (interconnection point and recipient of substantial cash payments) were discussed but not settled in the public hearing.