Solar farm coming to former coal mine site in Wise County

A new era of energy production is coming to Southwest Virginia next month. The Nature Conservancy and TerraForm Power are breaking ground this November on Wildcats Solar, a 10-megawatt solar farm built on a former coal mining site in Wise County. The 70-acre project in Pound specifically repurposes flat, reclaimed mine land to avoid cutting down forests. Local officials say the project will inject new tax revenue into the county, boost the Cumberland Forest Community Fund, and generate local construction jobs. Once completed, the clean energy will plug directly into the grid for Appalachian Power customers.