Stockton Solar Project

No. Silicon Ranch is the developer – they purchased the land and are building the facilities. Alabama Power has agreements to purchase power and RECs from the project. The contract is structured so the subscribing customer covers the costs – not other Alabama Power customers. 

No. The contract is structured so the subscribing customer covers costs associated with purchases from the Stockton projects – not other Alabama Power customers. That’s how renewable subscription program contracts are structured – to protect other customers. Additionally, Alabama Power is freezing customer rates through 2027.

The PSC’s review focused on whether the power purchase agreements, taken together with the customer’s subscription contracts, are in the interest of Alabama Power's customers – including whether they provide an economic benefit for non-subscribing customers. The PSC does not have jurisdiction over siting, environmental impacts or local land-use decisions. Those are handled by the project developer and the relevant federal, state and local agencies. Silicon Ranch is the appropriate point of contact for questions about community involvement, and they are holding community meetings before installation begins in 2027.

When Alabama Power enters a power purchase agreement with a developer, and a customer subscribes to that project through the Renewable Subscription Program, the PSC reviews the economics of those transactions – whether they provide an economic benefit for non-subscribing customers. The PSC does not regulate the developer building the facility. It has no authority over siting, no authority over environmental impacts and no authority over other local approvals. 

Those are important questions, which are being addressed through separate federal, state and local environmental review processes, not through the PSC or by Alabama Power. Silicon Ranch has stated they are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and that the project is being designed to avoid wetlands and other sensitive areas. Silicon Ranch is the right contact for specifics on environmental planning. Alabama Power expects all permitting requirements to be met.

Silicon Ranch chose this location, not Alabama Power. The site – a former industrial timber tract on private land – offers access to existing Alabama Power transmission infrastructure. Silicon Ranch estimates the project will generate approximately $14 million in tax revenue and 300 construction jobs for Baldwin County, and they plan to manage 2,500 acres in permanent conservation. Questions about siting and local impact should be directed to Silicon Ranch.

Silicon Ranch has stated that the facilities are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. The system uses tracking technology that automatically monitors weather conditions and enters a protective stow mode, laying panels flat to reduce wind exposure. Silicon Ranch has pointed to the performance of its facilities during Hurricane Helene as evidence of this design’s effectiveness. For specifics on storm resilience, Silicon Ranch is the right contact.

The project will use cadmium telluride (CdTe) panels manufactured by First Solar. These panels are encapsulated between layers of tempered glass, do not contain liquids that can leak, and are not classified as hazardous. CdTe is a stable compound – not the same as elemental cadmium. These panels have been deployed across the country for more than 20 years without a safety incident, according to First Solar. They pass EPA toxicity testing and rigorous weather testing, including hail. (First Solar)

Silicon Ranch is the developer and the right point of contact for questions about the site, construction, environmental review and community engagement. They have a project page with detailed information and a comment form.