Hyco Solar
Powering the future of Person County
Hyco Solar is a proposed clean energy project from Cypress Creek, a North Carolina-based company committed to powering local communities. If approved, it will generate millions in local tax revenue—supporting schools, roads, and emergency services without costing taxpayers. It’s expected to create 95 construction jobs, attract new businesses, and deliver reliable, homegrown energy across the state.
An Investment in Person County's Future
Economic Benefits
Hyco Solar is expected to generate between $5-7 million in cumulative county revenue over its 40-year lifespan – supporting local services and strengthening the community.
Job Creation
Hyco Solar will generate approximately 95 construction jobs and several high-paying, long-term positions—bringing lasting economic benefits to the local community.
Sustainable Site Design
Hyco Solar is thoughtfully designed to minimize impact on the surrounding environment and community and will operate without producing glare, odor, or noise. Additionally, it is engineered to protect local wildlife and preserve the natural landscape.
Energizing Tomorrow's Leaders
In 2025, Cypress Creek awarded $115,000 in scholarships nationwide through its Energizing Tomorrow’s Leaders program. Among the recipients was Iyauna Justice, a graduating senior from Person High School—one of seven North Carolina students awarded a $2,500 scholarship to support their educational journey. To date, 10 students from Person County have received scholarships through the program.
Launched in 2023, Energizing Tomorrow’s Leaders supports students in communities where Cypress Creek develops and operates solar projects. The program encourages interest in renewable energy and STEM careers, with applicants submitting short videos answering: “How does renewable energy affect your future?”
Applications for the 2026 scholarship cycle will open in January. Check back here for updates and details on how to apply or visit ccrenew.com/scholarships.
Cypress Creek and Betabox Learning
Cypress Creek partners with Betabox Learning, a leading provider of mobile STEM educational experiences, to bring hands-on learning experiences to K12 schools in the Carolinas. In 2025 the mobile unit was able to serve more than 700 students through onsite field trips at schools in Person County: Person Early College for Innovation and Leadership, Person High School, Southern Middle School and Northern Middle School. Each visit students were immersed in STEM activities in the Betabox Mobile STEM lab, conveniently located in the school’s parking lot.
“Cypress Creek Renewables is a valued industry partner whose support allows us to serve students in more communities throughout North and South Carolina that we simply would not be able to reach without their support.” said Sean Newman Maroni, CEO of Betabox Learning.
What will Hyco Solar look like?
Cypress Creek has developed more than 250 solar projects across North Carolina, always with a focus on minimizing impact and preserving the character of local communities. Below, you’ll see photos of Bullock Solar in Vance County, NC, alongside a rendering of the proposed Hyco Solar project.
Hyco Solar will feature a significantly enhanced vegetative buffer—designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Compared to Bullock, Hyco’s buffer will be five times deeper and include five to six layers of plantings, offering greater visual screening and ecological benefit. Bullock’s buffer, by contrast, includes three layers.
This thoughtful design ensures Hyco Solar will deliver clean energy while maintaining the natural beauty of the area.
Project Updates
October 2025
Since early 2023, Cypress Creek Renewables has been working closely with Person County residents, staff, and officials to share information about the Hyco Solar project. Many community members have expressed strong support for the project’s substantial tax revenue, construction job growth, and our commitment to long-term partnerships in the community through scholarships, sponsorships, and local investments.
To ensure every question and concern is fully addressed, we have requested a postponement of the text amendment vote. It’s important to clarify: this vote is not about allowing solar development everywhere. It’s about giving commissioners the flexibility to consider responsible projects – those that align with the county’s land-use goals, preserve rural character, and support local growth.
Over the coming months, we’ll continue expanding our outreach – meeting with residents, sharing project details, and listening closely to community feedback. Hyco Solar is designed to be a good neighbor and a lasting local partner, and we remain committed to transparency as the process moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why solar energy?
Solar energy is a low-impact, domestic electricity source that harnesses the clean, naturally occurring substance of sunlight to generate power. It provides significant economic benefits to communities by safely and quietly powering households, while offering landowners a stable source of annual income to secure their land for future generations. Additionally, solar energy contributes to diversifying and stabilizing the electrical grid, helping the State of North Carolina achieve their decarbonization goals.
Will property values be impacted?
Hyco Solar is expected to have no impact on property values. Studies by local appraisers in North Carolina and other states have consistently found no negative effects on surrounding property values when considering appropriate vegetative buffering, setbacks, and adjacent land use. Cypress Creek has commissioned a third-party property appraisal report that indicates the project will not significantly harm adjacent property boundaries.
Will Hyco Solar benefit the community?
Hyco Solar will deliver between $5–7 million in new county revenue over its 40-year lifespan, which will go to work funding schools, roads, and emergency services without added cost to taxpayers. The project will create 95 construction jobs, several long-term positions, and attract new business investments. Thoughtfully designed to blend with the landscape, Hyco Solar operates quietly and cleanly while protecting local wildlife. Through Cypress Creek’s Energizing Tomorrow’s Leaders program, 9 Person County students have already received scholarships to pursue education in renewable energy and STEM fields.
How will Hyco Solar impact the land?
Cypress Creek Renewables is developing the Hyco Solar project in a rural area near the northwestern border of Person County, North Carolina, in full compliance with land use requirements. This project involves minimal environmental disruption compared to other land use types. The project will not deplete water resources, construct large building foundations, or cover the natural environment with asphalt. Cypress Creek is committed to mitigating our environmental impact to ensure that the project provides a net benefit to the residents and wildlife of Person County and North Carolina.
Is solar equipment safe for people and the environment?
Our solar equipment adheres to the highest national standards (ANSI and UL) and has no impact on the atmosphere, soil, or groundwater. Numerous studies and years of testing, which Cypress Creek is happy to share, support this. The Hyco Solar facility will be monitored remotely 24/7, with local technicians handling maintenance and emergency response. Additionally, we are committed to minimizing any environmental impact. Third-party studies are currently being conducted to assess the needs of local wildlife and plants related to this specific project, and the findings will be incorporated into project micro-siting and comprehensive permitting applications.
Will Hyco Solar create significant noise or disturbance?
Cypress Creek solar facilities are quiet, efficient energy producers. The panels are designed to absorb light rather than reflect it, and are mounted at an angle that maximizes energy production while minimizing glare. Additionally, utility-scale solar projects are typically low-profile and often incorporate vegetative screening to shield views from neighbors and roads. For Hyco Solar, Cypress Creek has engaged a local landscape architect to develop plans for a vegetative buffer around the project site.
What happens at the end of the project's lifespan, and who is responsible for decommissioning?
Once the facility stops generating electricity, Cypress Creek will be responsible for removing all equipment and panels, including any associated costs. All equipment, conduits, structures, and foundations will be removed to a depth of at least three feet below grade. Fencing will also be removed, and the land will be restored to its natural state. The land will be suitable for farming again if the landowner chooses to do so.
End-of-Project Land Use
Powering North Carolina: Hyco Solar is expected to generate over 180 million kilowatt-hours of clean, local energy each year—enough to power approximately 8,000 North Carolina homes annually. This reliable, homegrown energy will serve both local residents and regional businesses, helping to strengthen the state’s energy independence.
Project Team
Harrison Cole
Associate Director, Southeast Development
Latoia Valentine
Coordinator, Community Engagement
Mike Storch
Manager, Programs & Sustainability
