Solar Ordinance

Albemarle County is developing possible additions to the County's regulations for solar facilities.

What's Included in the Draft?

Definitions

• Accessory Solar: Max 25 kilowatt (kW) for single-family residential and Max 3MW for all others
• Community Solar: Max 5 megawatts (MW) for multiple users
• Small Scale Solar: under 1 megawatt (MW)
• Large Scale Solar: 1 megawatt (MW) or greater

Proposed Regulations Overview

• Accessory Solar
  • without new impervious (i.e., building-mounted) will be allowed by right in all zoning districts.
  • with new impervious (i.e., ground-mounted) will be allowed by special exception in all nonresidential and residential zoning districts R-6 and above (i.e., R-10).
• Small Scale Solar and Community Solar will require a special use permit in all zoning districts.
• Large Scale Solar will require a special use permit in the Rural Area zoning district.
• Projects subject to a special use permit will also require Comprehensive Plan compliance review.
• Minimum setbacks for Community and Large Scale facilities will be:
  • 200 feet from residential/rural property lines
  • 200 feet from public rights-of-way
  • 400 feet from dwellings on adjacent property
• Minimum buffering and screening will be required.
• Security fencing will be required.
• Lighting will be limited.
• Groundwater monitoring will be required.
• Liability insurance will be required.
• Application requirements for consideration of a special use permit.
• Considerations during special use permit review will include the proposed project's impact on:
  • Wildlife corridors
  • Historic, cultural, recreational, and environmental resources
  • Residences
  • Agricultural lands, wetlands, and forestal lands
  • The density of solar projects in the area
  • The total area of the county devoted to solar projects
  • The amount of electricity proposed by solar projects as a percentage of County use

Required Application Components Will Include:

• Concept plan
• Description of the power to be produced
• Construction phasing plan
• Types of materials to be used
• Conceptual grading
• Conceptual landscaping
• Visual impact analysis
• Community impact assessment, including:
  • Distance to existing transmission facilities
  • Anticipated revenue to the county
  • Assessment of employment opportunities
  • Short and long-term economic impacts
  • If the project replaces an existing enterprise, an assessment of how the county will be impacted by the loss of the enterprise
  • Fire/Rescue impacts
  • Water, sewer, and stormwater impacts
• Environment impact assessment
• Traffic impact assessment
• Decommissioning and reclamation plan

The proposed ordinance does not address energy storage systems. Comments on potential regulations for energy storage systems are encouraged.