Question 1

How much land is needed for a project of this size?

Accepted Answer

The project will be sited on privately-owned land in the Mammoth Solar region generating approximately 1 MW of energy per 5 to 7 acres of solar.

Question 2

Where will the power generated from the project go?

Accepted Answer

The energy created by the project will be delivered into the local and regional grid owned and managed by AEP.

Question 3

What is the projected timeline for this project?

Accepted Answer

Mammoth Solar submitted an application with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of West Virginia June 30, 2025. The permitting process takes approximately 6 months to complete, so we anticipate receiving a decision by the PSC by late 2025. Pending approval by the WV PSC, timely completion of interconnection studies by PJM and additional state permit approvals, construction is likely to begin in early 2027 with commercial operations to begin towards the end of 2028.

Question 4

Why develop solar in the Mammoth Solar region?

Accepted Answer

The site selected for Mammoth Solar is in close proximity to a transmission line, which will transport power to the nearest source of demand. The site is also relatively flat with good solar production, allowing for solar to be an advantageous source of power to incorporate into the local transmission grid.

Question 5

How will this project benefit the community?

Accepted Answer

With as much as $200 million in capital investment, Mammoth is expected to generate up to an estimated $3.5 million in new county revenue for the first 20 years of operations and support approximately 200 jobs during construction, and several local jobs during long-term operations—including technicians, vegetation and module washing crews, pest control, and ancillary staff.

MN8 Energy is committed to being a good partner for the communities in which it operates. To identify impactful opportunities, the Mammoth Solar team is actively meeting with leaders in education, government, business, and community organizations in the county, including the eastern portion of the county and those leading the Mammoth Preserve planning.

Question 6

What does the regulatory process look like for Mammoth Solar?

Accepted Answer

Mammoth Solar will be permitted through the Public Service Commission of West Virginia via the Solar Siting Certificate process. This process incorporates the input of various agencies on the federal, state, and local levels for environmental and economic matters, and allows for public comment periods to gather feedback from the local community. If the Project has demonstrated compliance with applicable permits and agency consultations, the Public Service Commission of West Virginia will issue a Siting Certificate.

Question 7

How many jobs are anticipated during the construction phase?

Accepted Answer

The construction process consists of a variety of different stages – site preparations (i.e. civil work), pre-planting (generally native and pollinator-friendly plant species), and installing solar components (i.e. underground cabling, pilings, racking systems, inverters, substation, and fencing). These stages require a variety of different roles, such as site managers, project managers, engineers, heavy machine operators, general laborers, electricians, and more. Once the site is operational, it will require several workers to maintain it and manage vegetation on an ongoing basis.

Question 8

Will Mammoth Solar impact wildlife?

Accepted Answer

Project environmental experts have been assessing the project footprint by conducting site-specific studies to understand and mitigate potential impacts on wildlife. The project will comply with all state and federal regulations associated with wildlife including requirements of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR).

Question 9

Will roads be blocked during the construction phase?

Accepted Answer

The project will work with the Division of Highways and local jurisdictions to map out a travel route for all construction equipment and workers. Proper signage will be posted around the site to minimize any conflicts with local traffic. Furthermore, construction crews will be cognizant of high-traffic hours, such as the beginning and end of the work and school day.

Question 10

What is the impact of the project on local roads and road safety?

Accepted Answer

The project will survey local roads prior to the start of construction and once construction has been completed, to identify any repairs to be completed at Mammoth Solar’s expense and with oversight from WV Division of Highways.

All affiliated with the project and operations are required to follow local, state and federal laws. In addition and before the start of construction, representatives will meet with the local school system to learn about bus routes and schedules.

Question 11

How will road safety be managed?

Accepted Answer

All affiliated with the project and operations are required to follow local, state and federal laws. In addition, before the start of construction, representatives will meet with the local school system to learn about bus routes and schedules.

Question 12

How is water run-off and drainage impacted?

Accepted Answer

Mammoth Solar will prepare and submit a detailed stormwater prevention plan as part of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit process.  This permit will be required prior to the commencement of construction and will include stormwater design that implements best management practices to minimize and/or remove the potential for erosion and sedimentation that may leave the project area. The permit will also include post-construction obligations that the Project must implement, including full restoration of the project area. 
Permanent stormwater best management practices will be constructed to manage post-construction runoff, reduce peak flow rates, and provide long-term water quality treatment in accordance with WVDEP standards and the approved NPDES Permit.

Question 13

How is stormwater managed onsite?

Accepted Answer

Mammoth Solar must be permitted through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) to ensure it follows all necessary regulatory laws and regulations. The project is required to apply for and gain the agency's approval of its plans to meet requirements set forth by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) prior to construction. The purpose of this permit is to minimize and/or remove the potential for erosion and sedimentation into nearby water resources.

The permit and applicant must be in compliance with regulatory requirements throughout the construction and restoration process.

Question 14

What hours of the day and week will construction occur?

Accepted Answer

Construction typically occurs between 7am – 7pm throughout the work week.

Question 15

What impact will the project have on neighbors?

Accepted Answer

There are no residences adjacent to the project such that the facility will not be visible or audible to its nearest neighbors. Following construction, which will take 12-18 months, the project will add very minimal traffic to the area.

Question 16

How long will construction take?

Accepted Answer

Construction will take approximately 12-18 months from start to commercial operations.

Question 17

What is typically involved in the decommissioning process of the solar plant?

Accepted Answer

As part of Mammoth Solar Project’s lease agreements with landowners and as required by West Virginia state regulations, the project will be responsible for the removal of all equipment from leased land and restoration of the site to prior conditions at the end of the project’s useful life.
 
A Decommissioning Plan will be submitted during permitting and updated periodically. This plan will detail the responsibility of the project to remove equipment and return land to a similar state as was present before the project was constructed. As part of the Decommissioning Plan, the project will agree to post a bond or similar financial surety to ensure the funds necessary to decommission are consistently available throughout the life of the project; this bond provides a financial guarantee that the project will bear the cost to decommission the site. The financial assurance will remain in place for the life of the project. The DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) will review the Decommissioning Plan every five years and may require MN8 to update the amount of financial assurance at that time.

Question 18

What happens to solar panels when the project is decommissioned?

Accepted Answer

Mammoth Solar will submit a detailed decommissioning plan and financial assurance to cover all decommissioning costs. At the end of the project's operating life (35 years or more), panels will be removed from the site. Because solar panel production only degrades around 0.5% annually and up to 90% of the materials used in solar panels are recyclable, solar panels can lead a new life after decommissioning and ultimately be substantially recycled.

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