Muddy Creek
Energy Park

Qcells is a global leader in solar energy that has a strong track record of helping local communities meet their clean energy needs. Dalton, Georgia is home to our solar panel manufacturing facility, the largest in the Western Hemisphere. We offer a full range of solar solutions, from the core technology of solar panels to large-scale project development, construction and investment. We deliver utility-scale power generation plants customized for local regions. 

We are proposing an agrivoltaic farming project in Linn County, which would generate enough power for up to 34,000 homes. The project will combine solar panels with agriculture on approximately 1,100 acres adjacent to I-5 in Linn County, south of Harrisburg.  

Agrivoltaic farming combines solar energy production with traditional agriculture. It keeps farmland in production and generates low-cost, renewable energy. Solar panels provide shade to crops and animals, improve soil quality, and reduce evaporation and the need for water. It is also referred to as dual-use farming.

It has plenty of open space for agriculture, solar panels and sheep grazing – and plenty of sunlight to power the panels. Qcells guarantees high performance of its advanced solar technology under real Willamette Valley conditions, in winter or summer, under clear or cloudy skies, and in extreme weather. The proposed site also has easy access to existing energy infrastructure.

Agrivoltaic farms allow for the advancement of farming technologies and can generate revenue through the sale of both crops and renewable energy, providing farmers and landowners with an additional source of income. As many Oregon farmers make succession plans, agrivoltaic farming opens new possibilities for the future of their land. 

Utility-scale agrivoltaic projects add significantly to the tax base in rural areas and support the development of local supply chains for both agricultural products and renewable energy. Qcells is dedicated to finding opportunities for community partnerships with long-term benefits to the local community. 

Solar energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease dependence on fossil fuels, while increasing energy efficiency, diversifying the energy mix of the grid, supporting biodiversity and improving soil quality. Solar panels are an important tool in fighting climate change and help farmers protect their future crop yields from extreme weather conditions. This project was specifically designed for this site and will avoid all culturally and environmentally sensitive areas. Oregon also adopted a first-of-its-kind Climate Protection Plan in 2021, ensuring that utilities need to meet certain emissions standards. Qcells will be partnering with a local utility to ensure that these goals can be met in a timely manner.  

This project was designed to minimize the impact on wetlands, waterways, native habitats and local species. When the project reaches the end of its lifecycle, the equipment will be removed and recycled, or reenergized. The land will continue to be used for agricultural production and returned to the landowners. Agrivoltaic farming supports healthier soils during project operations that can be used for agriculture or other needs when the project is removed. 

The project is located near high voltage lines and an existing substation, which minimizes the need for new infrastructure. The panels will be mounted on piles, allowing more land to be reserved for agricultural production. 

This project will generate an estimated $1.6 million in local tax revenue each year and support more than 100 union jobs, including with IBEW Local 280, during the construction phase of the project. Construction workers on the project will also boost spending at local businesses.  

The energy will connect to the local power grid, serving Oregonians throughout the Willamette Valley. This is the first utility-scale agrivoltaic project of its size to supply clean, renewable energy to the Willamette Valley. Any surplus power not used locally would be distributed to the wider region, as energy flows wherever demand lies. Since generation is in Willamette Valley, the site will serve the valley, with excess being distributed to wider regions. 

We project the project to generate enough clean electricity to power up to 34,000 households. Modern solar panels are highly efficient in all weather conditions, even in the rain, and this project is being designed specifically for this site.   

Solar projects do not leach chemicals or toxins into the ground during construction or while operating. During construction, steel piles are driven into the ground. The panels are hung on racks and mounted to piles. Trenches may be dug to run electrical and data cables. The modules are completely enclosed. When the project lifecycle is complete, any structures from the project will be removed, returning the land to its original state, as required by state law. 

Qcells has designed this project specifically for this site. We have completed multiple studies that evaluate whether there is impact to: wetlands and waters, wildlife and habitat, raptor nests, rare plants, soils, cultural resources, and visual resources designated as significant or important. We are working on getting concurrence from agencies and their recommendations.  

During the permitting process, Qcells will also be evaluating the project for consistency with local land-use standards, compatibility with surrounding lands, and for other potential impacts related to geologic hazards, noise, glare, traffic and recreational and protected areas. Qcells has assembled experts in various fields to complete these studies. The studies are then reviewed and assessed by applicable government agencies at the local, state and federal level. The cultural resources study will also be reviewed by Tribal Governments. If impacts are identified that cannot be avoided or minimized, then potential mitigation or requests for additional work may follow. Studies will be included and published as part of the full permit application submitted to EFSC in 2024. 

The state has high standards for decommissioning that require the project developer to return land to its prior condition after the useful life of a solar project. Qcells accepts responsibility for removal of equipment and returning the land to its prior condition. Our decommissioning process includes: advance planning with local authorities; covering removal costs prior to the start of construction; removing and recycling all equipment, roads and concrete to restore the land; decommissioning all electrical equipment; and collecting and recycling or disposing of all modules.  

As part of the application, the state will consider any potential impact to farmlands on both the subject property and surrounding agricultural lands, as well as industries and individuals reliant upon those lands. Additionally, Qcells must meet the county’s land use standards, which are designed to protect farmland.   As part of these requirements, we are completing a number of studies, including a soil assessment report. We are also designing the project in a way that minimizes impact and engages farmers in the design and planning. For example, we are looking at plants that provide an aesthetic buffer to the solar panels. We are also evaluating crops that can be grown on site to bolster the dual-use project design, minimize impacts to the property and work well with sheep grazing. We have also mailed letters to all landowners within a half-mile radius to introduce the project, and request their input.  Qcells is dedicated to finding opportunities for community partnerships with long-term benefits to the local community.