Big Pine Solar Farm

Project introduction

Big Pine Solar Farm is a 150 megawatt (MWac) solar project currently under development in Sussex County, Virginia.

Located approximately 3 miles north-west of Waverly Town off of Newville Rd., Big Pine’s location is remote with the near-est major neighboring structure being a state prison complex. With panels actively sited on 1,500 acres of commercial tim-berland and agricultural land, Big Pine is unlikely to impact the viewshed of residential properties as it will be nestled away from homes and roads behind a buffer of existing trees and additional planted vegetation.

This 150 MW solar facility will produce enough reliable, pollu-tion free electricity to power over 24,000 homes. During con-struction, Big Pine will create 271 jobs. 3 permanent opera-tions jobs will be directly created, along with another 3 indirect and induced jobs, during the life of the facility which is antici-pated to be 40 years. During those 40 years, it is projected that Big Pine will generate $26 million in revenue for Sussex County, money that can go towards first responders, educa-tion, and community development. 

Big Pine Solar Farm is anticipated to be commercially opera-tional by the end of 2026.

Status: In development

Site location

Location map Big Pine Solar Farm | RWE in the Americas

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Facts & figures

00 MWac

solar photovoltaic facility

Panels sited on 00 Acres

of commercial timberland & agricultural land

Over 00

Virginian homes powered¹

$ 00 Million

in County revenue generated over the life of the project

00

construction jobs created

Up to $ 00

realized in public health savings²

1 Homes powered is calculated using EPA’s Green Power Equivalency Calculator and assumes an industry average 25% net capacity factor.
2 Pollution reductions from https://www.epa.gov/avert/avert-web-edition, public health benefits assume a 3% discount rate and are derived using COBRA health database https://cobra.app.cloud.gov/. 

Project Benefits

Supporting Communities

Supporting Communities

Big Pine Solar Farm will provide millions of dollars in additional tax revenue to Sussex County. This new source of public revenue can help reduce the tax burden on local residents. This is money that can be used to support important capital improvement projects and vital services including fire departments and first responders, schools, parks and roads. This project is a low-impact form of development that will generate revenue, at no cost to the County, and with no added burden to local infrastructure and services.

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Supporting Communities
Supporting Farmers Big Pine Solar Farm | RWE in the Americas

Supporting Farmers & Landowners

Farmers who choose to harvest solar power are following a long tradition of using their land responsibly to produce food, fiber, and fuel. Big Pine Solar Farm will be located on private property, offering participating landowners a reliable source of income over the 40 year life of the project. Farmers who choose to host solar panels have the opportunity to reinvest in their business’ operations, save for retirement and use their increased purchasing power to support local businesses throughout the community.

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Supporting Farmers & Landowners
Supporting Rural Economics Big Pine Solar Farm | RWE in the Americas

Supporting Rural Economies

Hundreds of jobs will be created during construction, offering opportunities for residents to enter the rapidly expanding clean energy workforce. Local businesses will see an economic boom as demand for lodging, restaurants, supplies, vehicle maintenance, and fuel increases throughout the 9-12 months of construction. During operations, 3 permanent positions will be created to operate and maintain Big Pine Solar Farm, and the project will continue to source supplies from local businesses. Big Pine Solar Farm will provide millions in a one-time pulse of economic activity during construction, and in annual economic impact throughout the life of the project, beyond the millions in revenue that will be paid directly to Sussex County.

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Supporting Rural Economies

Stronger Electric Grid

Electrical Grid Big Pine Solar Farm | RWE in the Americas
Electrical Grid Big Pine Solar Farm | RWE in the Americas

Solar energy has become one of the most affordable and reliable sources of electricity available today. By harnessing the Sun’s energy, solar farms increase the resiliency of Virginia’s electric grid while protecting consumers from the volatility and rising costs of traditional energy sources.

Protecting the Environment and the Community

Big Pine Solar Farm will be designed to complement existing agricultural land uses, protect the soil, and avoid negative impacts to wildlife. Solar farms produce electricity without generating any pollution, resulting in cleaner air and water when compared to traditional power plants.

Comprehensive studies are required as part of the planning and permitting process to protect public safety and the environment. Big Pine Solar Farm will be virtually silent outside the fence line, while setbacks and vegetative screening will minimize viewshed impacts. Solar panels are designed to minimize glare and are often installed at major airports across the world.

Protecting Environment and Community Big Pine Solar Farm | RWE in the Americas

Big Pine Solar Farm will use silicon-based PV panels, which are made of safe, well-tested materials commonly used in building and household products. The panels are fully sealed and extremely durable, preventing trace metals from escaping into the surrounding soil. PV solar panels are so safe that millions of families across the U.S. have put solar panels on their homes and literally sleep beneath them. RWE’s advanced remote operations center will monitor the panels 24/7, 365 days a year while the onsite operations team will be available to respond in the unlikely event of an emergency.

At the end of Big Pine Solar Farm’s useful life, equipment will be removed and the land can be returned to its original uses.

Schedule Overview

Project Schedule of Big Pine Solar Farm | RWE in the Americas

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