Solar Energy Development Process

Site Prospecting & Land Leasing

We conduct desktop research to find the best locations in specific markets. Selected sites include characteristics ideal for solar energy such as flat, open ground, proximity to electrical infrastructure, environmental suitability, and compatible land use. We secure rights to develop our solar projects on a landowner’s property through purchase options or long-term lease agreements.

Electrical Interconnection

We file with regional transmission system operators (RTOs) and utilities to assess the feasibility of injecting power to the transmission grid. Years of coordination and engineering studies are required to determine how projects will work with the local transmission system. Finally, if the local transmission system is found to have the capacity to support a project, the costs for facilities required to accommodate the injection and delivery of wholesale power are identified.

MET Installation

We deploy on-site solar resource data collection stations to determine microsite conditions, which provide Savion power customers and project partners the highest degree of confidence that projects will perform as planned.

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Detailed Assessment

Once a suitable site is identified, we conduct thorough environmental surveys and perform initial engineering and design of the solar array and other subsystems. We also begin the process of obtaining all necessary federal, state, and local permits.

Community Engagement

Education and communication efforts with the local community begin. Host communities benefit from quality job generation and significant property tax revenues during the construction and operation of the project.

Permitting

Once a potential site is deemed viable, the process of obtaining all necessary federal, state, and local permits begins. In this phase, numerous studies are conducted including environmental and cultural, wildlife, interconnection, and economic—in addition to transportation management and decommissioning plans. Permitting can take three to five years to complete.

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Power Marketing

Before construction, most solar power projects require a contract with utility companies or large corporations to sell the power from the project in order to be financed. Our experienced team markets and promotes our solar power projects to potential customers and secures long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) or other contract structures.

Project Construction and O&M

Once a project is contracted, construction begins on roads, fences, the solar array, and other subsystems. The project is then connected to the electric grid. Once constructed, the solar power facility will have full-time staff to manage long-term operations and maintenance (O&M).

Project End-of-Life

Once a solar power project has reached the end of its useful life and is no longer deemed active, project decommissioning begins. At this time, the entire solar array and other subsystems are dismantled, and the land is restored to its original condition.