Let the sun shine in. That’s not just part of a song by the Fifth Dimension, it’s looking more like a reality in a huge solar project in northern Fulton County. Commissioners have approved a 35-year tax abatement agreement for the Arche Energy Project, on close to 700 acres of land. The very large solar panel array will produce about 107 megawatts of energy each year.
The project is headed by 7X Energy from Texas, and is currently in the regulatory permit process. Construction is expected to get underway in late 2021, which could bring 200 to 250 workers to Fulton County. Once the project is up and running, they will utilize just 2 to 3 full time employees. But the big picture for Fulton County will be the projected $750,000 in tax revenue generated each year, with about 63% of that amount going to Fayette Local School.
An option to lease the land for the solar field from Fayette area property owners has already been secured.