Two Grant County solar farms under construction

QUINCY — Construction has started on two solar electrical generation facilities in Grant County, with five more in the permitting or planning phase.  

“We have seven projects that we're tracking right now. All of them have been applied for, and some of them have been approved, and some of them are under construction,” said Jim Anderson-Cook, director of Grant County Development Services.  

Construction has started on two projects with similar names; one located in the Quincy area and one north of Moses Lake near Rocky Ford.  

Grant County Commissioner Rob Jones said the county has regulations governing where and how solar generation facilities can be built. Anderson-Cook said their ability to access the electrical transmission system also influences construction timelines. 

Construction is underway on the QV Solar project, owned by Silicon Ranch, north of Winchester. It’s projected to produce up to 130 megawatts. 

“That one began construction in October of (2025). It won't be producing energy to the grid this October, but construction will be complete this October, and it will be producing energy in the spring of 2027,” Anderson-Cook said.  

While most of the projects are in sparsely populated areas and away from frequently traveled roads, the QV Solar project will be visible, Anderson-Cook said.  

“You're probably going to be able to see it from Dodson, and I know definitely you're going to see it from (State Route) 283,” he said.  

Jones said he toured the site in January. County regulations require development to take into account wildlife habitat, possible stormwater runoff and other environmental impacts. 

The project is designed with pathways for wildlife. 

“They’re huge – probably 1,000-plus yards wide,” Jones said. 

It’s also designed to mitigate stormwater runoff with gravel channels through the project area.  

“They basically dig a line; the water would run into this gravel line and it goes back into the soil. You didn’t even notice it until somebody pointed it out to you,” Jones said.  

The second project under construction is north of the Grant County International Airport near Moses Lake. Invenergy, Owners of the Quincy Solar project, have contracted with the Grant County Public Utility District to buy the electricity generated. Anderson-Cook said the project is an example of the way solar projects can take a long time to complete. 

“It was applied for in 2018. It was approved in 2019. Then Invenergy just kind of put it on the table, because they didn't have what they call an off-taker for the power,” Anderson-Cook said. “It was always going to be interconnected to the grant PUD grid. When they negotiated that power purchase agreement with the PUD earlier this last spring, then (the project) came back to life again.” 

It’s projected to generate 120 megawatts of power, and if it doesn’t reach the anticipated capacity, Quincy Solar will have to pay damages until it does, according to the agreement reached between the PUD and Invenergy and approved in April 2025. 

Jones said county regulations are designed to minimize the impact of a solar farm on the surrounding area. The owners of QV Solar were required to mitigate the impact on the natural vegetation and spent about $2.8 million to do that, Jones said.  

While local jurisdictions in Washington can establish regulations for solar projects, the state of Washington has the option to override them through the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council.  

“With EFSEC, we don’t get to have a say,” Anderson-Cook said. 

A county permitting process makes EFSEC intervention less likely, Jones said. 

    Construction is underway on a solar electrical generation facility near Quincy.
  

    Solar panel frames go up at the site of a new generation facility.