District Commercial Solar Power Station

Should utility-scale solar facilities be permitted in a zoning district?

Utility-scale solar facilities, however, should in most cases be conditionally permitted regardless of the zoning district and are most appropriate on brownfield sites, in remote areas, or in agriculturally zoned areas. This is particularly true for more populated areas due to the more compact nature of land uses.

Are solar facilities regulated by zoning?

Solar facilities generating power for on-site use are typically regulated as by-right uses depending on their size and location. Utility-scale solar facilities, however, should in most cases be conditionally permitted regardless of the zoning district and are most appropriate on brownfield sites, in remote areas, or in agriculturally zoned areas.

Can a utility-scale solar facility be used as a land-use permit?

As a land-use application, utility-scale solar facilities are processed as any other land-use permit. Localities use the tools available: the existing comprehensive (general) plan and zoning ordinance. In many cases, however, plans and ordinances do not address this type of use.

What remuneration schemes are available for distributed solar PV?

Renewables 2019 categorises distributed solar PV remuneration schemes into five main categories: 1) buy-all, sell-all; 2) net metering; 3) real-time self-consumption at the wholesale price;

Are solar facilities a good use of brownfields?

Solar facilities can be a good use of brownfields or other previously disturbed land. A challenge in many rural areas, however, is that industrially zoned land is limited, and both public officials and comprehensive plan policies place a premium on industries that create and retain well-paying jobs.