The following is taken from the Clearway Swan Energy project web page and provides some answers to questions asked during the Bates County Commission meeting this week
Who is Clearway Energy?
Clearway is one of the Top 5 largest renewable energy companies in the United States. We are creating clean energy jobs, investing in communities where we work and live, and producing domestic, reliable and affordable power. Our fleet includes 13 GW of natural gas, solar, wind and energy storage assets across 27 states - enough to power 2 million homes. Clearway Energy Group is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Princeton, and San Diego. For more information, visit clearwayenergygroup.com.
What is being built?
The Swan Energy Center is a 650-megawatt solar farm–which will generate the equivalent electricity to power 200,000 average homes.. This will include solar panels, an operations and maintenance building for our full-time staff, and a substation.
While we are aware of rumors that a data center will be built with the project, those claims are flase. There are no plans for a data center at Swan.
Where is the power going?
The energy generated by the Swan Energy Center will be delivered into the existing local transmission system, helping meet both local load and growing electricity demand across the region.
The project has a signed “power purchase agreement” with a tech company. This is a financial contract that settles cost and renewable energy credits but does not physically deliver power to any facility. The project instead will push electricity into the local Evergy grid for the benefit of all.
A helpful way to think about it is like water flowing through a pipe—solar energy enters the ‘pipe’ and blends with electricity from other sources. While some energy may be designated for specific customers, ultimately, anyone who draws power from the grid receives a mix from various generation sources.
Where will the equipment come from?
Domestic solar manufacturing has grown exponentially in the United States within the last few years, driven by a national push to on-shore American energy supply chains. Clearway partners with major American suppliers to source solar panels, racking systems and other materials for our sites, in compliance with current trade laws. At the Swan Energy center we will use the following equipment:
-Majority of solar panels from American manufacturer First Solar
-Additional solar panels from JA Solar, manufactured in Vietnam
-Tracking system from American manufacturer NextPower
Who is paying for the project?
Clearway Energy solar farms are entirely privately funded, bringing new investment into the communities where they are located.
No tax dollars go into building Clearway energy projects. Instead, the community gains new revenue through any local property, sales, or income taxes that the projects pay. This grows the budget for schools, first responders and other public services without increasing taxes for residents.
Do solar farms impact nearby property values?
There is no solid evidence that solar lowers nearby property values. In fact, a 2024 study from Loyola University, which assessed 70 utility-scale solar projects in the Midwest, found no consistent negative impact, and sometimes modest increases in property value.
The Swan Energy Center will be built to minimize any visual or noise impact. It creates no traffic, no odors, no light or noise pollution and no industrial runoff.
Additionally, the millions in new tax revenue brought to the county will be used to improve public services like schools and roads, helping make Bates County even more attractive for homebuyers.
How much noise will the solar farm produce?
Once the project is operating, the project will produce minimal noise. Solar panels create no noise at all. Inverters and transformers typically have a low hum like an HVAC system, but can only be heard close to the equipment and usually not beyond the fence line. If a project is a tracking system, then the panels and racking will move throughout the day, but again the amount of noise produced is minimal and typically not heard by surrounding areas.
Do solar panels produce a glare?
Because solar panels are designed to absorb light and not reflect it and are typically coated with anti-reflective materials, they reflect roughly 2-3% of light hitting their surface. Studies indicate that solar panels share similar reflective qualities as a body of water and do not inherently introduce risk to transportation, aviation, or the casual observer.
What is the construction timeline for the Swan Energy Center?
The construction team will mobilize at the end of June 2026, and construction is scheduled to start in July. Construction is projected to continue until mid-year 2028.
There will be 450-500 workers on site from early 2027 to spring 2028. Our construction contractor, Blattner, will prioritize local hiring to the extent possible. Several long-term technician positions will be available once the project comes online.
What measures are being taken to prevent erosion during construction?
Several measures are being taken to prevent and address erosion:
-Third-party civil engineers have conducted a hydrology study to ensure there are no erosion issues expected on the site.
-Clearway’s construction contractor will file a Storm water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and will obtain a Permit for Discharges of Storm water from Construction Activities (Land Disturbance Permit). Clearway and our contractor are legally required to follow permit conditions and SWPPP details to protect water quality, such as installing silt fencing and using waddles upslope of water features, and best management practices to ensure stabilization and restoration.
-We have contracted with some of our land leasing partners to plant cover crops to stabilize the ground before equipment arrives.
What measure are being taken to reduce dust during construction?
Water trucks will be used to keep dust down on dirt roads during construction activities.
Will there be any road closures during construction? Is there a road agreement?
There are no road closures expected at this time. If any limited closures prove necessary, they will be near the substation for delivery of large components. Most deliveries will be made by 18-wheelers, with flaggers used for safety instead of closing roads.
Yes, a road use agreement will be established with Bates County to ensure proper coordination and minimize impacts on local roads during construction. Any public roads used during construction will be fully repaired and restored — paid for by Swan Energy Center, not taxpayers.
How does Clearway site projects responsibly?
Clearway strives to minimize potential impacts when siting projects by evaluating existing site conditions, land use restrictions, and state and federal databases and geographic information system (GIS) resources to look for protected species and habitat. Once a project site is selected, we conduct biological, cultural, and wetland resource studies to further understand the specific site conditions. The information gathered from environmental surveys is used to inform our site design so that our projects can avoid impacting sensitive resources to the extent practicable.
What environmental studies have been conducted for the project?
Clearway has performed numerous environmental studies overthe past few years at the project area to characterize site conditions and inform project design to avoid and minimize impacts to natural resources as much as possible. Completed studies include: Critical Issues Analysis, Wetlandand Waterway Delineation, raptor and migratory bird nest surveys, habitat qualityassessments, bat mist net and acoustic surveys, Phase I Environmental SiteAssessment, cultural resource assessments, and geotechnical and hydrology studies.
How will soil be managed?
The reclamation plan for the historic mining operation on Sterling Ranch property required at least 8 inches of topsoil and 8 inches of subsoil be restored with clean backfill; this was confirmed via soil pits collected on March 4, 1996.
Soil disturbance and grading will be minimized as much as possible for construction activities. In general, excavated soils will remain on site and be backfilled or evenly distributed across the project area. Best management practices will be used to manage and prevent sediment and stormwater runoff into nearby wetlands and aquatic resources, such as dust control, diversion berms and silt fencing. Project activities will follow a Spill Prevention, Control, Containment and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan and any observed contaminated soils will be handled properly and disposed of according to regulatory requirements.
Are solar farms at risk of fire grass fires, and how are they managed?
Solar farm operators implement several safety measures to minimize fire risk, such as regularly mowing vegetation to prevent excess dry grass build up and maintaining clear access for emergency vehicles. In addition, equipment is designed to prevent electrical sparks, and strict protocols are in place to monitor and respond to any fire hazards promptly. These practices help ensure that the risk of grass fires is low and that the site remains safe for the surrounding community.
How do solar farms handle hail and extreme weather events?
Solar panels are engineered to withstand severe weather conditions, including hailstorms and high winds. They are constructed using tough, tempered glass similar to that used in hurricane-proof windows and are rigorously tested to endure impacts from hail up to certain sizes and speeds.
When severe weather is forecasted, the mounting system for the panels automatically tilts the panels to a specific angle that minimizes the impact and potential damage from hailstones. By positioning the panels more vertically, hail is less likely to strike the glass surface directly, helping to safeguard the equipment and extend its lifespan. This automated response is part of the solar farm's extreme weather management protocol, ensuring that the panels remain resilient and operational even during harsh conditions. Regular inspections and maintenance further help identify and address any damage promptly, keeping the facility safe and operational.
Why do farmers put solar on their land?
Our partnering landowners are electing to temporarily rest their fields, completely voluntarily, as is their right. These leases bring in stable income every year, no matter the weather or crop prices. They can make a huge difference for farmers wanting to keep their farm in the family, protecting it from permanent forms of development. Learn more about leasing land with Clearway.
Do solar farms affect birds or other wildlife?
Clearway plans to plant native grasses and floral resources at the Swan Energy Center to help support breeding and foraging of pollinator species, like the monarch butterfly. As the site ismaintained during operation for 30+ years, the natural vegetation will helpimprove soil drainage and health, while creating a stable habitat for insects and small animals.
In addition, migratory bird nest surveys will be conducted prior to construction activities during the breeding season, to ensure active nests aren’t disturbed. Studies have shown solar farms can increase biodiversity on previously disturbed land in just a few years with the use of pollinator-friendly seed mixes, like the one planned for Swan.
Do solar farms release pollution into the land or water?
Solar panels are designed to be safe and durable for the long-term, made with the same kind of tempered glass found in hurricane-proof windows. Like your cellphone, they are designed to crack and not shatter. They also don’t contain fluids that can leak or pollute the soil or water, even if badly cracked, and no part of the panel is buried underground.
Small amounts of conductive metals are in solid form are either chemically bonded together or encased in tempered glass and plastic to prevent exposure to the environment. Clearway currently requires that all solar panels we procure undergo EPA Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP) testing to ensure no toxic leaching can occur, even if heavily damaged.
Learn more here: ACP_Solar-Panels_are_Safe-for-Your-Community_FactSheet.pdf
What happens at the end of the solar project life?
At the end of the project’s life, Clearway is required to remove all equipment and restore the site to its prior condition. We reuse or recycle as much of our equipment as possible, working with solar recyclers across the U.S. to conserve materials like glass and aluminum.
Clearway will sign a decommissioning agreement with Bates County and have plans in place to return the land to its original state at the end of the project’s life. This agreement requires us to abide by certain clean up and decommissioning procedures. The process includes safely disposing of or recycling materials such as solar panels and concrete, as well as restoring the land to its natural state by planting native vegetation.
Can solar panels be recycled?
Solar panel recycling is growing fast. Glass, aluminum, and silicon—the primary components of a panel-- can all be recovered. Clearway commits to recycling all solar panels used at this project.
Learn more here: Solar farm removal & recycling fact sheet
Will Clearway sell the Swan Energy Center after construction?
As a leading American renewable energy company, Clearway is a long-term owner and operator of our energy projects across the United States. The Swan Energy Center will join our 13GW operating fleet.
We have no plans to sell the project after construction. These projects are built for lasting performance and responsible ownership, with operations managed by permanent Clearway employees based locally in the community.
What happens if Clearway goes out of business?
Our projects are financed by large banks in the form oflenders and tax equity providers. While it is highly unlikely, if Clearway wereto declare bankruptcy, the bank would step in and be compelled to hire anotheroperator for the project in order to continue realizing the full value of theasset that they invested in.
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