SB 697

Abstract

Solar and energy facilities; local regulation. Prohibits a locality from including in an ordinance (i) limits on the total amount, density, or size of any ground-mounted solar facility or energy storage facility until such time that the total area under panels within the locality exceeds four percent of the total area within the locality or (ii) any prohibitions on the use of solar panels that comply with generally accepted national environmental protection and product safety standards, provided that such installation is in compliance with any provisions of a local ordinance that establishes criteria and requirements for siting.

Solar and energy facilities; local regulation.Requires that any ground-mounted solar or energy storage facility,including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves,the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the propertywhere such facility is located, be permitted as a special exceptionas allowed by current law for solar photovoltaic projects, providedthat such installation is in compliance with any provisions in alocal ordinance that establish reasonable criteria and requirements,as defined in the bill, for siting.