Safety & Health Questions
Do solar farms cause fires?
Solar farms have the lowest fire rate of any energy source. Modern installations include rapid shutdown systems, arc fault detection, and proper spacing. Fire incidents are extremely rare.
Read the full answer →Are solar panels toxic?
Standard solar panels are made of glass, aluminum, and silicon—common, safe materials you encounter every day. They contain no toxic chemicals that can leach into soil or water.
Read the full answer →Do solar farms emit radiation?
Solar panels produce no ionizing radiation. EMF levels are lower than household appliances like refrigerators. At property boundaries, EMF is indistinguishable from background levels.
Read the full answer →Are solar farms noisy?
Solar farms are virtually silent. Panels have no moving parts. Inverters produce less noise than a refrigerator, and are inaudible at property boundaries.
Read the full answer →Property & Community Questions
Do solar farms lower property values?
Multiple peer-reviewed studies show no significant negative impact on nearby property values. The largest studies analyzed millions of home sales and found solar farms are among the most benign neighbors.
Read the full answer →Do solar farms cause glare?
Solar panels are designed to absorb light, not reflect it. Modern panels have anti-reflective coatings and reflect only ~2% of light—less than grass, water, or building windows.
Read the full answer →Do solar farms pay taxes?
Yes. Solar projects pay local taxes through PILOT agreements—often generating 10-50x more revenue than agricultural use of the same land, with no added service burden.
Read the full answer →Environmental Questions
Can solar panels be recycled?
Yes. Up to 95% of solar panel materials—glass, aluminum, silicon, copper—can be recovered and reused. Recycling facilities are operating and expanding across the US.
Read the full answer →Do solar farms harm wildlife?
Solar farms generally benefit wildlife compared to conventional agriculture. They provide pollinator habitat, eliminate pesticide use, and offer shelter for birds and small mammals.
Read the full answer →Can you farm under solar panels?
Yes. Agrivoltaics combines solar with agriculture—sheep grazing, pollinator habitat, and even shade-tolerant crops. The same land produces clean energy and supports farming.
Read the full answer →Technical Questions
Do solar panels work in winter?
Yes. Solar panels work year-round. Cold actually improves efficiency. Snow typically slides off tilted panels. Germany, with less sun than NY, is a solar leader.
Read the full answer →What is community solar?
Community solar lets you subscribe to a local solar farm and receive credits on your electric bill—typically saving 10%. No rooftop panels, no installation, no upfront cost.
Read the full answer →Economic Questions
What jobs do solar projects create?
Solar projects create construction jobs (150-200 for a large project), permanent O&M positions, and local contracts for vegetation management and services.
Read the full answer →How does solar permitting work in NY?
Large projects (25+ MW) go through ORES (Office of Renewable Energy Siting). The process includes environmental review, public comment, and strict permit conditions.
Read the full answer →Local Information
What solar exists in Columbia County?
Columbia County has ~36 MW of operating solar across projects in Greenport, Kinderhook, Claverack, Ghent, Livingston, and Clermont.
See all Columbia County projects →What is the Shepherd's Run project?
A proposed 42 MW solar project in Copake that would power ~9,500 homes and offer community solar subscriptions to residents.
Learn about Shepherd's Run →