Clean Energy in
Prince Edward County
10 Million in Tax Revenue
Quiet Community Neighbor
300 Well-Paying Jobs
Economic Benefits
Gabriel Energy will provide significant benefits to Prince Edward County, including ongoing revenue payments and well-paying construction jobs which will provide training and experience for the local workforce
​
-
Ongoing Revenue: The project will generate approximately $10 million in revenue over the next 40 years.
-
Jobs: The project will create approximately 300 well-paying construction jobs during the construction phase.
-
There will be no strain on existing county-funded services such as sewer, water, roads, or schools.
​
Gabriel Energy, LLC is proud to be a neighbor in Prince Edward County and will prioritize hiring contractors within the county to construct, operate, and maintain the project.
Project Map
Community Benefits
Gabriel Energy is a long-term partner that will be involved in the community throughout the entire lifespan of the project. We are a unique partner in the solar market because we develop, build, own, operate, and eventually decommission the project after its useful life.
​
-
Agricultural Character: Gabriel Energy will develop the project in a way that respects the agricultural integrity of the land through vegetative buffering on the project site.
​​​
-
Clean, Reliable Energy: All energy produced will be delivered to the local substation, delivering domestic, affordable, environmentally-friendly energy to the Prince Edward community. Gabriel Energy is partnering with First Solar, a U.S. based panel manufacturer, whose technology delivers more usable energy per watt than silicon-base modules.
​
-
Biodiversity: The project will follow Virginia's Pollinator-Smart Program for solar projects to establish a pollinator meadow on site. These native plants will support habitat for critical species such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
​​​​
Environmental Impact
Gabriel Energy is a safe and environmentally-sound solar project that will preserve vital natural resources and protect the rural and agricultural nature of Prince Edward County.
Gabriel Energy will have a positive impact on the environment. There will be no pollution, no noise,
and no traffic once the initial construction is complete. Gabriel Energy will offset approximately 108,650 tons of COâ‚‚ which is equivalent to over 19,178 homes'
electricity use for one year.
This project allows Prince Edward County to preserve the land, while at the
same time producing clean, affordable energy. After the life of the project,
all equipment will be removed and there will be no permanent structures
or pollution left behind. The site will then be seeded with native
grass mixes and ready for other types of land use.
Buffers & Setbacks
Buffers and setbacks designed to minimize the visual impact of the solar farm are an important component of the Gabriel Energy project. We will develop these in conformance with the Prince Edward County land development code. Features include extensive setbacks from property boundaries and public right of ways. There will be large vegetative buffers to protect the viewshed. Buffers will exceed County regulation, exceeding the 15' vegetative buffer, with initial staggered vegetation planted at least 3-feet tall. This vegetated screening will be provided along roads and adjacent properties, where applicable.
Vegetation
The design of the Gabriel Energy Project includes landscaping and buffers which will screen the project from view and further help maintain the existing character of the area. Any trees planted will be evergreen in nature, so viewshed is always protected. Ground cover will be established beneath and around the panels with native species. In addition, native pollinator mixes in compliance with Virginia's Pollinator Smart program will be planted in parts of the project to increase biodiversity.
Habitat Protection
The project is designed to protect existing wetlands, streams, and other natural resources. Gabriel Energy does extensive research and surveying of the project area. Therefore, the project will be carefully developed to preserve these wetlands and other natural resources to protect this valuable habitat for decades.
Wildlife
In order to comply with state requirements, Gabriel Energy will obtain an environmental permit from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). As part of the permit process, the impact on threatened and endangered species is evaluated and mitigation plans, if needed, are developed. Fencing is wildlife-friendly and will allow small animals to pass through with ease.