R65. - Solar Farms.

A.

Solar collection devices shall be designed and located to avoid glare or reflection onto adjacent properties and adjacent roadways and shall not interfere with traffic or create a safety hazard.

B.

Solar farms shall not be located within an airport primary approach zone as described in Section 4.6.1.

C.

Solar devices within a solar farm must be enclosed by a fence at least six (6) feet in height and must have clearly visible warning signage concerning voltage.

D.

An emergency shut-off mechanism is required and notice of its location should be submitted to Iredell County Emergency Management. The mechanism shall be clearly identified and unobstructed and shall be noted clearly on the site plan.

E.

No business signs, billboards, or other advertising shall be installed on a solar device.

F.

The property owner shall have six (6) months to complete decommissioning of the solar facility if no electricity is generated for a continuous period of twelve (12) months. A project is properly decommissioned when all structures and equipment are removed and the site is re-vegetated.

Applicant must submit decommissioning plans that describe the anticipated life of the solar project, the party responsible for decommissioning, the estimated decommissioning costs in current dollars, and the method for ensuring that funds will be available for decommissioning and restoration.

G.

The applicant shall be required to provide written documentation stating that the facility is in compliance with all applicable Federal and State regulations.

H.

Setbacks:

1.

A solar device within a solar farm may not be closer than five hundred (500) feet to any existing residential dwelling, excluding any dwellings on the same parcel of land as the device.

2.

Solar collection devices must be set back fifty (50) feet from any property line.

I.

Solar collection devices attached to rooftops or buildings are exempt from requirements C. and H. above.

J.

This section does not pertain to solar devices generating energy solely for on-site use.

(Ord. of 3-5-13(3))