Crystal Hill Solar is a 65 MW state-of-the-art agrivoltaic solar facility that was originated, developed, and constructed by Urban Grid, an independent power producer. Urban Grid operates and maintains Crystal Hill Solar.
The Crystal Hill Solar facility will utilize photovoltaic solar modules to produce energy which will be delivered to the power grid via an existing on-site 115kV transmission line.
Crystal Hill Solar is set to be fully operational in Spring 2024.
Project size
Powered annually, while offsetting 61,700 metric tons of CO₂*
Generated in local tax revenue
Along perimeter buffers
What does this project mean for you and your community?
Over its lifetime, Crystal Hill Solar will pay millions of dollars in tax revenues to Halifax County–revenue from a project that does not require costly infrastructure, public services or increase traffic. In addition, roughly 600 workers were employed during peak construction of Crystal Hill Solar, boosting revenue for local businesses and service providers.
Home-grown solar is vital to bolstering Halifax County’s grid resilience and enables Virginia to meet its goal to produce its electricity from 100% renewable sources by 2050. The transition to clean energy is powered by strong communities whose landowners, local businesses, and citizens recognize their critical role in making it happen.
Crystal Hill Solar was engineered to minimize disturbances to wetlands, streams, and other environmentally sensitive areas located on the project site. Native pollinator species will be planted throughout the site encouraging natural habitat and wildlife in the area. In addition, the facility will utilize sheep grazing to maintain vegetation and improve soil conditions throughout its lifetime.
Crystal Hill solar will pay millions of dollars in tax revenues to Halifax County over its 25-35 year lifetime. These dollars could be used for county improvements such as expansion of broadband internet, investment in area schools and other community services – all while providing clean, locally sourced solar energy to Southside Virginia.
Crystal Hill solar will pay millions of dollars in Machinery and Tools and Real Property Taxes over the 25-35 year lifetime of the project.
*Source: Emissions reductions based on EIA state level data for fossil fuel generation replacement. Project emissions are included for entire life cycle based on NREL Harmonization studies as well as foregone forest sequestration per EPA equivalency analysis.
Thank you for your interest in Crystal Hill Solar. If your question is not covered in the FAQ, please submit a question on the contact form, and we will be sure to respond.
Crystal Hill Solar is situated between Crystal Hill Rd. and Howard P. Anderson Rd. in Crystal Hill, VA. To minimize visibility from public roads, a natural buffer has been planted along the project perimeter.
The land is owned by private members of the Halifax County community.
When the solar facility is no longer efficient, the system will be decommissioned and the equipment removed, recycling everything that can be recycled, and returning the land to the condition in which it existed prior to the installation of the solar project. Solar has a minimal impact on the land, unlike fossil fuel power plants. When the project is removed, the land is returned to essentially its original state. Many landowners see leasing land for utility-scale solar projects as a form of land banking, as it has minimal long-term impact on the value of the land. Panthera Grid Partners assumes all responsibility for decommissioning and places a secure bond with the county in the event that project ownership should change in the future. This means that the county and its residents are NOT responsible for any costs for the removal of a project at the end of its useful life.
Solar panels do not produce noise, but the inverters that change the current of electricity from DC to AC do produce a slight hum that is not audible past the property boundaries. Solar projects are considered quiet neighbors.
Panthera Grid Partners utilizes the best available Photovoltaic solar (PV) panel technology for all of our utility-scale projects. These panels are dark in color and are treated with an anti-reflective coating. The purpose of solar panels is to absorb as much sunlight as possible to produce energy efficiently so the point of the panels is to be as minimally reflective as possible. Solar panels are generally less reflective than windows and have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for installation on and around airports across the country.
Stormwater management plans are a required part of the solar development process. These plans are prepared by professional engineers and designed to mitigate any impacts to erosion or flooding. We follow the strict requirements of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to ensure our projects meet and often exceed guidelines to protect surrounding waterways. Once operational, the use of perennial ground cover and elimination of annual tillage, irrigation, and fertilizer (in the case of farmland) allows the soil to absorb water and rejuvenate during the life of the project. A solar project has maximum ground permeability and is much better in terms of stormwater runoff than most other types of development.
Solar farms do not pose a threat to wildlife. Wildlife studies are an important part of the development process — trained experts study proposed sites to ensure that utility-scale solar development minimizes impact to wildlife. Solar projects can also provide important habitat for birds and pollinators like bees and butterflies.
We are proud members of the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce and strong supporters of organizations serving the greater Crystal Hill Solar community.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Panthera Grid Partners is a portfolio company of Brookfield, one of the world’s largest owners and operators of renewable power and sustainable solutions.
Panthera Grid Partners delivers reliable, utility-scale solar, wind and energy storage infrastructure to meet America’s growing demand for domestic energy.
With a portfolio exceeding 10 gigawatts, Panthera Grid Partners operates in U.S. power markets where load growth, grid reliability and capital investment are most critical. The company develops, acquires, builds, and operates renewable energy assets with a disciplined, precision-driven focus on execution, performance, and operational integrity.
Through responsible land stewardship and strong local partnerships, Panthera Grid Partners delivers energy projects with respect for land, agriculture, and local priorities, working with landowners and communities to support long-term land value and strengthen regional economies.
If you have a question or concern about the construction of Crystal Hill Solar, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help. Fill out the form, and we will be sure to respond.
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