Commission backs rooftop solar permit but directs staff to pursue anti-reflective coating policy

The Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission voted to find a rooftop solar building permit in Moreno Valley consistent with the March Air Reserve Base compatibility plan, but the meeting featured an extended discussion about cumulative solar glare and materials that reduce reflectivity.

Staff planner Jackie Vega presented agenda item ZAP1653 MA25, a building permit for a 2,620-square-foot rooftop solar installation at an existing industrial building. As part of the staff report, Vega summarized a solar-glare analysis that quantified "green-level" glare minutes across various runways and traffic patterns. The staff summary said the total green-level glare minutes across assessed patterns were 18,273 minutes, representing less than 7% of daylight time. The Air Force reviewed the glare study and, on July 9, 2025, provided comments that concurred with the glare analysis while flagging concerns about cumulative glare and pointing to panel construction as a mitigation factor.

Commissioners and a pilot/commenter described observed increases in glare in the area around March and urged stronger mitigation. Commissioner discussion emphasized that while present guidance and the FAA's interim glare policy accept limited green-level glare within two miles of approaches, cumulative glare across many installations remains a concern. Staff said it had previously given a workshop on reflective surfaces, and that a staff resolution and report for the September meeting will recommend mandating anti-reflective coatings and other mitigation measures; the clerk and staff noted that such a resolution, if adopted, would take effect 30 days after adoption and that projects already substantially under way would present due-process timing considerations.

The applicant representative, identified as Liz of Solar Going Up, told the commission that anti-reflective coatings can reduce module reflectivity but may reduce per-panel energy production and therefore could require more panels to meet a project's energy target. Commissioners discussed trade-offs between production and glare mitigation and whether the commission could require materials now in the absence of an existing compatibility-plan provision; staff responded that a September resolution would create the legal framework to require coatings on new projects.

After discussion the commission voted unanimously to find the rooftop solar permit consistent with the March Air Reserve Base compatibility plan, subject to the conditions recited in staff's recommendation. Staff will bring a formal resolution on solar-glare mitigation back to the commission in September for possible adoption.