Scotland County’s flat terrain and the proximity of the I-74 corridor were major factors in the decision to build North Carolina’s largest solar power farm there, according to a company planning to build it.

A proposed solar farm was approved by a unanimous vote this week, clearing the first hurdle for its development, according to the Laurinburg Exchange.

The proposal will come before Laurinburg City Council Tuesday where they will set a public hearing. Public hearings are usually set for the following council meeting, which is Sept. 21.

The proposed solar farm – a 2.3 megawatt solar photovoltaic array – would be the largest in the state, according to energy officials.

The $20 million project would be a joint effort of four companies – power company Progress Energy, finance company MP2 Capital, developer Birdseye Renewable Energy and solar producer groSolar.

According to Brian Bednar, president of Birdseye, choosing Scotland County was an easy decision as it was one of the first places the company had in mind when deciding where to build the new facility.

“Initially, it was a matter of narrowing it down,” Bednar said.

Scotland County’s topographical terrain factored into where the new solar plant would be located. The area happened to be one of the flatter counties coming out of the Piedmont and into the coastal region, making it a more good location to build.

Additionally, the new I-74 corridor’s construction through the area helped make the decision making process easier as the new interstate would make access to the facility more fluid.

“It also showed that it would be a growing hub for the southern part of the state,” Bednar said, “And it was within Progress Energy territory.”

Scotland County’s windzone rating was taken into account as well because the winds in the area are minimal and only increases the closer to the coast one gets.

“The local leadership made it easy and a good process for us,” Bednar said.

The Laurinburg Planning Board unanimously approved conditional use permits for two potential sites – a 65-acre lot on U.S. 15-401 South between Academy Road and Leisure Road and a 32-acre lot on Stewartsville Road adjacent to U.S. 74 Bypass. Only one site will be used, according to The Laurinburg Exchange.

The companies expect to develop one of the sites within the next six months.

Brian Bednar, president of Charlotte-based Birdseye Renewable Energy and Frank Griffin, vice president of construction for groSolar, gave an overview of the project to board members.

“The nice thing about solar is there is no negative impact on the environment,” Bednar said.

Griffin said the facility would offset an average of 4 million pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

He also said the plant would have minimal impact on the surrounding area as the solar panels are designed to produce minimal glare. Griffin also said there would be limited noise from the panels. A motor that moves the panels emits no noise and fans that cool the motors and panels can not be heard more than 10 feet away.

“groSolar is committed to delivering clean solar power in a cost effective way to as many consumers and businesses as possible. Global warming is a real threat to our way of life, and it’s extremely gratifying to be a part of this important project in North Carolina”

Griffin said the impact on Scotland County would be tax revenues from the facility and the use of local contractors to service the facility. The solar array will be unmanned, however, and not create permanent positions.

Lloyd Yates, president and CEO of Progress Energy Carolinas, said in a release development would be part of a larger move for Progress Energy to invest in renewable energy.