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Chester County gives preliminary approval to 60 MW solar-plus-storage project off Dublin Road

Chester County Council · February 3, 2026

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Summary

Council approved inducement resolution and gave first reading to an ordinance offering fee-in-lieu tax incentives for Project 23-54, a proposed ~60 MW solar project with battery storage on ~400–450 acres of a 707-acre site off Dublin Road; council discussed setbacks, vegetative buffers, decommissioning, and Duke Energy review.

Chester County Council voted Feb. 2 to give preliminary approval to Project 23-54, a proposed solar-plus-storage development located off Dublin Road that the county said totals roughly 707 acres, with about 400–450 acres likely to be used for solar arrays. Administrator Hester and staff described the proposal as approximately a 60-megawatt project with battery storage and a negotiated 40-year fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement.

Council review noted land-use safeguards included in the inducement resolution and the ordinance's terms: 75-foot setbacks measured from project fencing to rights-of-way and residential uses, vegetative buffers of 15 feet (expanded to 25 feet adjacent to rights-of-way), 100-foot setbacks from wetlands and streams consistent with county code, pollinator-friendly practices, and a detailed decommissioning plan. The project team has submitted materials to Duke Energy; selection notices were said to be expected in May 2026.

Council members asked clarifying questions about prior approvals: the zoning board of appeals approved the special exception with conditions on Nov. 14, 2023, and planning staff confirmed prior administrative review. The council approved the inducement resolution by voice vote and approved first reading of the related ordinance in title only.

Next steps: county staff said selection notices from Duke Energy are expected in May 2026 and subsequent permitting and ordinance proceedings will proceed as required. The inducement resolution and ordinance provide a framework for a negotiated fee agreement but do not in themselves finalize a tax agreement.