Committee approves allowing battery storage as accessory use at commercial solar farms
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Summary
SB443 would treat battery energy storage systems as an ancillary use to existing commercial solar farms so storage can be added without separate land-use approval; supporters said the change would improve grid reliability, while questions focused on fire-safety and permitting standards.
The Senate Local Government Committee reported SB443 to allow battery energy storage systems (BESS) to be sited at existing commercial solar farms as an accessory or ancillary use under the same special-exception permit. Sponsors said the change would accelerate deployment of storage that is essential for reliability and to manage price spikes.
Philip Strange of AES Clean Energy testified that batteries can be brought online quickly and provide capacity in extreme weather, while Victoria Higgins of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network said pairing storage with solar enables cleaner, round-the-clock power. The sponsor and supporters emphasized that localities retain authority to review and enforce safety and building codes.
Members raised questions about earlier local decisions to decline battery installations and about fire-suppression and environmental runoff during emergency response. The sponsor noted that BESS technologies vary — including nonflammable flow-battery chemistries — and that codes and containment approaches have evolved. After discussion the committee voted to report SB443 (roll recorded Eyes 11, No 3).