solar energy

The county's unified development code allows accessory solar collector systems in all districts and solar farms as special uses in agricultural and industrial districts, providing detailed standards for both. It permits solar collector systems as accessory uses in all districts, while solar farms are special uses in agricultural and industrial districts (Table 8-2-2-1A).

The unified development code provides a section on standards for solar collector systems that applies to roof-mounted, building-integrated PV, pole-mounted, and ground-mounted accessory systems (§8-2-4-11). It defines the various types of systems, as well as "solar right." It limits system capacity to 120% of the structure's energy needs. It establishes solar rights for the properties of owners of solar collector systems. It also provides standards for ground- and pole-mounted systems that includes minimum lot size and percent coverage, setbacks, height, glare, and security. Standards for roof-mounted and building-integrated systems address glare, height limitations, and roof accessibility for emergency responders. The unified development code also describes permit application and site plan requirements.

The unified development code also includes a section on solar farms (§8-2-5-30). It details filing requirements for the special use and contents of the solar farm application, as well as design and installation requirements that address height, setbacks, electrical components, environmental impact analysis including water impact study, avian/wildlife impact study, warning signage, landscaping, roads, property value protection, complaint resolution process, waste disposal, drainage, fencing, glare, minimum lot size, vegetation control, and other elements. It also requires a decommissioning plan with performance guarantee for removal of facility after 9 months out of service; the owner must hold liability insurance of $2 million per occurence and $5 million in the aggregate. Solar farms will be inspected annually for compliance with standards.