⚡ CARTER RD

Site Diligence Analysis: CARTER RD, Greensville, VA

To: Sunland America Corp. Development Team
From: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst
Date: October 26, 2023
Subject: Comprehensive Site Diligence Analysis for CARTER RD, Greensville, VA (APN: 20-38)

This report provides a comprehensive site diligence analysis for the 18.99-acre property located on CARTER RD in Greensville County, Virginia. The analysis focuses on evaluating the site's suitability for distribution-scale (≤5MW) and utility-scale BESS projects, addressing key technical, environmental, regulatory, and financial considerations.

1. Site Access & Topography

• Road Access Quality and Equipment Delivery: The quality of "Road Access" and "POI Access" is currently Unknown. Given the rural location in Greensville County and the address "CARTER RD," it is likely a secondary or tertiary paved or gravel road. A critical first step is a physical site visit to assess the road's condition, width, turning radii, and any potential load-bearing limitations (e.g., bridges, culverts) for heavy equipment. Delivery of large components such as transformers and battery containers (which can weigh tens of thousands of pounds and be over 40 feet long) requires robust access roads capable of supporting significant weight and maneuvering large vehicles. Without this verification, equipment delivery feasibility remains a high-risk unknown.
• Terrain Characteristics: The property is designated as "Vacant Land - Vacant Land (General)" and is located in Greensville County, VA, which typically features flat to gently rolling terrain. The "Buildable Acres: 11.5" out of 18.99 total acres suggests that approximately 7.49 acres may be unbuildable due to factors such as wetlands, steep slopes, easements, or other site constraints. A topographic survey is essential to confirm the site's grade, identify any significant elevation changes, and determine the extent of cut/fill operations required for a level BESS pad.
• Heavy Equipment Access: As noted above, the feasibility of heavy equipment access is directly tied to the quality and capacity of the access roads. If existing roads are insufficient, significant investment in road upgrades, widening, and potentially new access points will be required. This is a critical item for immediate verification during a site visit.
• Access Easement Concerns: Information on "Access Easement" is Unknown. It is imperative to determine if the property has direct frontage on a publicly maintained road or if an easement across neighboring parcels is required. If an easement is needed, securing it can be a lengthy and complex process, potentially involving negotiations with multiple landowners and legal costs.

2. Environmental Constraints

• FEMA Flood Zone Designation: The "FEMA Flood Zone" is Unknown. This is a critical data gap. BESS installations are highly sensitive to flood risk due to electrical components. If the site is located within a 100-year (AE) or 500-year (X-shaded) flood zone, it would necessitate elevated foundations, floodproofing measures, and potentially higher insurance premiums, significantly increasing project costs and complexity. Siting in a VE (coastal high-velocity flood zone) would likely render the site unfeasible. Immediate desktop review of FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) is required.
• Wetlands Presence and Setback Requirements: The presence of "Wetlands" is Unknown. This is another significant environmental unknown. Wetlands can severely restrict developable area due to federal (Clean Water Act) and state regulations (Virginia Water Protection Permit Program) requiring significant setbacks and potential mitigation. A desktop review using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps should be conducted, followed by a professional wetland delineation if potential wetlands are identified.
• Critical Habitat / Endangered Species Risk: The data indicates "Critical Habitat: None" and "Protected Areas: None." This is a positive finding, suggesting a low risk of encountering critical habitat or endangered species issues that could trigger extensive environmental reviews or permitting delays under the Endangered Species Act.
• Brownfield/Superfund Status: The data states "Brownfield/Superfund: None within ~2 miles." This means the site does not qualify for the IRA brownfield bonus adder for the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). However, it also means the project avoids the significant risks and costs associated with environmental remediation, which is a net positive.
• Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Implications: The data confirms "Chesapeake Critical Area: N/A (non-MD)." Therefore, this specific regulatory framework, which applies to certain areas in Maryland, is not relevant to this Virginia site.
• Pipeline Proximity Safety Considerations: The data indicates "Pipeline Proximity: None within ~3 miles." This is a favorable finding, as it eliminates potential safety setbacks, easement conflicts, and additional permitting requirements often associated with proximity to high-pressure gas or hazardous liquid pipelines.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

• Nearest Substation: The "Nearest Substation" is CLUBHOUSE, located an excellent 0.133 miles away, with a "Max Voltage: 230 kV." This extremely close proximity is a significant advantage for grid access.
• Nearest Transmission Line: A "230kV" transmission line (VIRGINIA ELECTRIC & POWER CO) is located at an equally impressive 0.2 miles. This confirms robust transmission infrastructure immediately adjacent to the site.
• Recommended Likely Interconnection Voltage: Given the proximity to a 230kV substation and transmission line, a transmission-level interconnection (230kV) is the most logical and efficient pathway for a utility-scale BESS project. While distribution-scale (≤5MW) projects could theoretically connect to a lower voltage distribution feeder, the available infrastructure strongly favors a transmission tap for larger capacity projects. The "Interconnecting Utility" and "IX Voltage" are currently Unknown, but Virginia Electric & Power Co (Dominion Energy) is the likely utility.
• Estimated Interconnection Cost Range and Timeline: The very short distance to the substation and transmission line will minimize line extension costs. However, a 230kV interconnection will still require significant investment in a new substation bay