Before any construction begins, a Pivot field member will meet with the landowner, and a representative from the local utility to review where project construction will take place. This part of the process typically takes less than a day. Individuals conducting the tour will need access to the leased area, but no heavy equipment will be present.

A ~10-person crew will build an access road for construction equipment and workers – a 1 to 2 week process that may impact traffic on nearby roads. Expect construction noise including vehicle backup beepers and cement mixers. Initial equipment mobilization takes about one day.

A 1-3 person survey team will mark lease boundaries and access points, followed by a ~5-person construction team installing permit-approved fencing. This process should take approximately 1 to 3 weeks, depending on site size and terrain, and noise levels will be similar to those of other types of agricultural/development activities.

Where necessary, grading machines will be used to clear the property of vegetative material and debris to prepare the land in compliance with the site design. This process may take between a few days to 3 weeks, and you should expect some construction sounds (e.g. tree removal/trimming, and grading equipment).

Steel posts, called piles, will be driven into the ground to support the solar panels, then fitted with racking equipment. This is typically the noisiest part of the process and takes an average of 2 to 3 weeks to complete.

Crews will install electrical equipment on concrete pads or utility poles, complete any underground work, and connect the array. This phase typically takes 1 to 2 months, with noise levels similar to panel installation (step 6).

Installation teams will clamp each solar panel onto the racking system, requiring full site access. This relatively quiet process takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on project size, and may be combined with steps 5 and 7.

Interconnection integrates the solar project into the local electric grid. Rigorous testing is conducted to ensure all equipment meets the utility’s requirements and criteria so the project can connect to the grid. Depending on how much power the site generates, utility poles or substations may be added or modified to accommodate additional electricity. Because timeframes vary from utility to utility, this step may take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

Commissioning involves the testing of equipment and the installation of proper settings. This phase includes programming and quality control of the electrical components and materials previously installed onsite. This process typically takes 2 to 3 weeks of intermittent work.

The local solar project is now operational! In these final days, our team will complete the finishing touches – from establishing vegetation management to making any minor adjustments – ensuring the site is ready for decades of clean energy production. All construction equipment will be removed, leaving you with a fully functional solar facility.

After a short construction period (approximately 4-6 months), our project will create no noise, have no onsite employees, and generate no emissions or traffic in the area.