Frequently Asked Questions

Heartwood Solar will be located on approximately 700-900 acres in Fayette and Allen and Townships.

Heartwood Solar represents a $150 million investment that will, over the project’s lifetime, generate millions of dollars in local tax revenue while using no county or township services. Heartwood Solar is projected to generate over $2 million in tax revenue in the first year alone, based on current Michigan law. These tax dollars will benefit schools, roads and other local services.

Ranger Power’s Assembly Solar Project in Shiawassee county sourced 80% of its construction jobs from within the county, and we plan to do the same in Hillsdale County. Once the project is constructed and in operation, the project is expected to create 2-4 permanent solar operations jobs.

Heartwood Solar project setbacks from residences will exceed the setback requirements in the township ordinance. Heartwood Solar is going above and beyond setback requirements by maintaining a minimum distance of 150 feet between all residences and solar arrays. Further, the solar arrays will be set back a minimum of 50 feet from all public roads.

A project-specific study of property values commissioned by a third-party firm Cohn Reznick found there will be no impact on adjacent residential property values.

The Heartwood project will generate minimal sound. Solar panels do not create sound, and the motors that rotate the panels are quiet and will have no perceptible sound at the fence of the facility.

The inverters that convert the DC power produced by the panels to transmission-grid compatible AC power make a slight hum when in use only during the day, which would be inaudible to anyone outside the project area fencing.

Ranger Power has conducted sound analysis at multiple of our project locations, which have demonstrated that the sound generated by the project will be minimal for surrounding property. We expect the amount of sound generated by the Heartwood Solar project will be less than 65 dBA from all property lines. For comparison, a whisper at three feet is about 25dBA; normal conversation at three feet is about 60 dBA.

The Heartwood Solar project will not cause glare to drivers, occupants of adjacent lands, or to the users and operators of nearby airports and landing strips. Solar panels generate electricity through absorption of sunlight and are designed to minimize and avoid light reflection, making glare minimal. The panels will also be coated with an anti-reflective coating.

Heartwood Solar is projected to generate over $2 million in tax revenue in the first year alone, based on current Michigan law. These tax dollars will benefit schools, roads and other local services. *

Heartwood Solar will create over 250 local construction jobs, as well as up to 2-4 long-term jobs after construction.*

To learn more, view the economic impact study by Anderson Economic Group:

Economic Impact of the Heartwood Solar Energy Project (Coming Soon)

Solar panels are a safe and effective technology that comply with all health and safety regulations. The primary material in the panel itself is silicon, a very common earth element used in cement, ceramics, glass and many other products.

The Heartwood Solar Project will be constructed to the highest industry standards, including the use of tier 1 solar panels. The solar panels do not contain dangerous Gen X or PFAS chemicals. In fact, in 2018, DowDupont – the leading manufacturer of backsheets for tier 1 solar panels – issued a statement confirming that they do not use Gen X or PFAS in their backsheets.

Yes, solar energy is one of the lowest impact forms of energy production. Solar panels are low to the ground, do not produce any greenhouse gas emissions, are almost completely silent, and do not create odors or harmful byproducts.

Solar panels will not release any toxic or hazardous substances into the environment and no such substances are used during operation of the project. They also do not deplete natural resources or cause environmental damage through resource extraction and transportation. In addition, solar panels do not use significant amounts of water during operation, keeping this water available for farming and other activities.

Additionally, the native vegetation and pollinator habitat within the project area will reduce water runoff and soil erosion, increase the soil nutrient base, increase carbon sequestration, and provide habitat for beneficial pollinators that positively impact land adjacent to the project.

The Heartwood Project will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 244,000 tons, which is equivalent to taking 53,000 cars off the road.*

The panels do not produce a great deal of heat, but like any surface, could be warm to the touch on a hot sunny day. The panels would return to ambient temperature at night.

Solar projects are a temporary use of the land and all project infrastructure will be removed at the end of the life of the Heartwood Solar Project. Per land agreements and township requirements, Ranger Power is required to restore the land to its pre-existing condition.

We encourage you to send a letter to your local officials and let them know that you support private property rights, local farmers, economic development and solar energy in your community. To make this quick and easy, send a message of support through our online form.