Frequently Asked Questions
General
Who is developing this project?
Avantus, a California-based company with more than a decade of experience designing and building high-performing solar plants, is developing this project in partnership with Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA). Avantus has significant experience partnering with Native American tribes, including the Moapa Band of Paiutes in Nevada, the Quechan Tribe in California, and other communities impacted by coal plant retirement.
As with our past projects, Avantus will partner with leading construction firms, financiers, and operators to build a world-class project and ensure it is properly maintained. Every system we build strives to bring positive, meaningful change to the local communities where they operate.
Would this project cost me anything?
No. Red Antelope is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region. Red Antelope would boost local businesses, including restaurants, gas stations, and grocers.
In the past, we have partnered with local communities to help with training opportunities and educational programs in cooperation with schools and community organizations. We have contributed funds and expertise to support various programs, and we plan to replicate that level of engagement with the LeChee community.
Environment
Will the project use a lot of water?
No. As with most solar power plants, Red Antelope would be highly water-efficient and use a small fraction of the resources required for agricultural or heavy industrial use on equivalent acreage. Most of the water use will occur during construction to suppress dust. After construction, water will remove dirt and dust from the solar panels when necessary.
Will the project harm birds or other wildlife?
The Red Antelope project will use photovoltaic (PV) technology, which generates electricity by directly capturing sunlight. This technology differs from solar thermal technology, which uses mirrors to reflect sunlight and generate electricity and is sometimes harmful to birds. Biological resources surveys for the project area show minimal impacts on birds and other wildlife. Wildlife protection is a primary consideration when we build solar Avantus' past projects have gained support from leading environmental groups, including the Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Additional reading at https://www.audubon.org/news/solar-power-and-birds
Are solar panels toxic? Will they leach harmful chemicals and heavy metals into the soil and water?
No. Solar panels have been designed to operate safely for decades. Panels are manufactured using hardware similar to smartphones, computers, and televisions. Researchers from several national laboratories and universities have studied the soil and water near solar plants and found no toxicity levels that present risks to nearby ecosystems.
Additional reading: Human Health Risk Assessment Methods for PV, 2019
Safety
Do solar energy farms put public health at risk?
There is no evidence of any significant health risks resulting from solar farms. Solar panels emit low levels of electromagnetic frequencies (EMF), comparable to a cell phone, microwave, TV antenna, radio signals, and other everyday electronics. That means there is no more risk of EMF exposure near a solar facility than at a local grocery store or school.
Additional reading: Health and Safety Impacts of Photovoltaics, 2017
Will this project create additional dust?
Dust suppression, including wetting down dry and dusty areas, would be used throughout the construction period to control dust and minimize the potential impacts on construction workers and the surrounding community, as mandated by Navajo regulations.
The solar panels typically act as a windbreaker, reducing wind speeds around the solar field and minimizing airborne dust. Our goal is to capture the most sunlight and produce the greatest amount of solar energy, limiting dust and keeping the panels as clean as possible.
Additional reading: The Impact of PV Installations on Downwind Particulate Matter, 2017
Operations
Will the solar panels increase the temperature near my home?
No. Solar panels do not significantly increase the air temperature in surrounding residential areas. Solar panels absorb similar amounts of heat as the open land. The solar panels are thin pieces of lightweight glass surrounded by airflow that dissipate heat faster than solid earth. Solar panels can often lead to a slight cooling effect at night. Any heat impacts would be minimal and within close range of the panels. The Red Antelope project will be surrounded by secure fencing and sited a safe distance from homes, public roads, and other commonly trafficked areas.
Additional reading: Operational Study on the Impact of Large-Scale PV Development in Deserts on Local Are Temperature and Humidity, 2020
Land
Why are you interested in building solar in LeChee?
LeChee, along with many other areas across the Southwest United States, is an ideal location for harvesting, storing, and delivering solar energy.
The site has one of the best solar resources in the country, meaning panels installed there can produce more energy than in other places. Plus, new solar facilities can utilize existing transmission lines from NGS to deliver power to many different locations, helping meet the nation’s growing demand for renewable energy.
And while the power will be delivered and sold outside of the Navajo Nation, the LeChee community and the Navajo Nation will benefit from creating hundreds of local jobs and significant revenue from the site lease and sales taxes on the construction and operation of the facility.
Can we continue to graze livestock on the solar farm?
Sheep are best suited to graze on a solar farm. Unfortunately, cattle are too tall to pass underneath the solar arrays, and goats enjoy jumping on top of the solar panels. Luckily, sheep are the right height and are only interested in eating grass. Many operating solar plants have sheep grazing on-site to keep the vegetation underneath the panels low. For those interested in learning more about grazing sheep on-site, contact redantelope@8minute.com.
Additional reading: https://solargrazing.org/
Will cultural locations and family burial sites be protected?
NTUA and Avantus will work with local families, chapter officials, and tribal agencies to identify cultural and burial sites and establish an
avoidance area around the sensitive sites where ground disturbance will be prohibited.
What is the visual impact?
Solar makes a good neighbor! The Red Antelope facility will produce limited noise, no emissions or odors, and have a low height profile. This means little to no impact on the natural beauty of the surrounding landscapes and the tourism industry.
Red Antelope Solar
A Navajo Solar Energy & Storage Project
CREATING LONG-TERM BENEFITS FOR NAVAJO COMMUNITIES
Jobs | Economy | Education | Health | Community
Follow Us on Facebook!
HOME | PROJECT DETAILS | NEWS & UPDATES | FAQs | CONTACT US