Piney River Energy
Clean Energy for Amherst County
LOCAL TAX REVENUE
POLLINATORS AND VEGETATIVE SCREENS
CONSTRUCTION JOBS
ABOUT
About
Piney River Energy is a responsible, environmentally-sound, solar battery energy storage system (BESS) project located on private property in Amherst County. The project will include acres of vegetative buffers, setbacks, pollinator plantings, protected wetlands, and other protected natural resources.
​
Currently, Piney River Energy is in the development stages. We are securing the necessary legal and environmental permits to safely and responsibly develop the project.
​
~50 MEGAWATTS (MW)
HOMES POWERED
ACRES OF PRESERVED HABITAT
CLEAN ENERGY
Economic Benefits
Piney River will provide significant benefits to Amherst County, including upfront revenue, ongoing revenue payments, and well-paying construction jobs which will provide training and experience for the local workforce.
​​
-
Ongoing Revenue: The project will generate millions in tax revenues alone over the next four decades.
-
Jobs: The project will create well-paying construction jobs over the course of construction.
-
Clean, Reliable Energy - The electricity produced will help supply the ever-increasing demand for power locally and across the state of Virginia
Project Map
Piney River
Environmental Impact
Piney River Solar Energy is a safe and environmentally-sound solar project that will preserve vital natural resources and protect the rural nature of Amherst County.
Piney River will have a positive impact on the environment. There will be no pollution, no noise, and no traffic once the initial construction is complete. This project allows Amherst County to preserve the land for future development, while at the same time producing clean, affordable energy. The project will also not place any strain on public infrastructure including schools, roads, water, and sewer systems.
Buffers & Setbacks
Buffers and setbacks designed to minimize the visual impact of the solar farm are an important component of the Piney River project. Features include setbacks from property boundaries and neighboring homes. Landscaping and screening will be provided along these roads and adjacent properties, where applicable. This will screen the project from view and maintain the existing character of the area.
Vegetation
The design of the Piney River Solar Project includes landscaping and buffers which will screen the project from view and further help maintain the existing character of the area. Our development process includes an evaluation of the existing vegetation, in conformance with the Amherst County land development code, and will pursue opportunities to establish ground cover with native species. In addition, pollinator mixes will be planted in parts of the project to increase biodiversity on site.
Habitat Protection
A significant portion of the project acreage is designed to protect existing wetlands. The project will be carefully developed to preserve these wetlands and other natural resources protecting this valuable habitat for decades. Unfenced wetland protection areas will also serve as additional wildlife passages.
​
Wildlife
In order to comply with state requirements, Piney River Solar will obtain an environmental permit through the Virginia State Corporation Commission's Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity process. As part of the permit process, the impact on threatened and endangered species is evaluated and mitigation plans, if needed, are developed. Fencing that would affect wildlife will only be placed in areas where there are solar panels. As part of the project planning, the project was split into several sections so that a significant portion of the land will provide access for wildlife corridors and wetland habitats for native animals.
​
Contact
FAQs
Is solar safe?
Unequivocally yes. Solar panels are designed and tested to withstand a range of environmental conditions. They are also designed to prevent any metals or resources from leaking into the ground or water.
Will the solar battery project cause glare?
No, there will not be a visible glare. Solar panels are designed to absorb light, not reflect it.
Where will the project be located?
It will be located on private property in Amherst, Virginia.