Commission reviews draft solar and front‑of‑meter energy‑storage code changes after state regulatory preemption

Carroll County planning staff on July 9 presented a draft set of zoning revisions that would align county code with recently enacted Maryland state rules for solar energy generating systems and front‑of‑meter energy storage devices.

Staff told the Planning and Zoning Commission the state has limited local authority to prohibit and to set design standards for solar projects: staff said the Public Service Commission (PSC) issues Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for projects of roughly 2 megawatts or larger and that the state's recent rules require certain solar projects to be treated as principal permitted uses across local zoning districts. Staff said the county must therefore revise its code where state law preempts local prohibitions or limits local design discretion.

Key points staff presented and commissioners discussed:

- State preemption and application thresholds: Staff said a CPCN is typically required for projects of about 2 megawatts and larger; staff also said the staterule requires treatment of projects in certain size ranges as principal permitted uses in zoning districts (staff discussed a 1–5 megawatt band and noted state variations). County code must be revised to reflect these thresholds and the countyrole in permitting smaller projects under local process where allowed.

- Se…