County staff offer four zoning approaches for solar farms; expert urges decommissioning safeguards
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Summary
An outside expert and county planners presented models for regulating utility-scale solar and battery storage, highlighted decommissioning and recycling practices, and proposed four conceptual approaches to setbacks and design while recommending targeted code updates rather than a full zoning rewrite.
Stephen Kalland, executive director of the NC Clean Energy Technology Center, told Chester County councilors Feb. 9 that utility-scale solar projects have grown in size and that modern photovoltaic panels are largely inert compared with earlier equipment concerns.
Kalland addressed community questions about decommissioning and recycling, saying panels, racking and wiring have scrap value (aluminum, steel, copper, glass), making abandonment unlikely and often making decommissioning "net-positive financially." He added that recycling technology is improving and cited a recycling facility operating in Salisbury, N.C. He also warned that battery energy storage poses distinct fire-safety risks and said local codes and firefighter training are important.
Jeremy Ward, director of Planning and Development, recommended a phased approach instead of a full zoning rewrite: targeted code updates over 12'—15 months beginning with solar farms and data centers and later addressing housing types, signage, septic/well standards and other items. Ward identified gaps in Chester's current code on decommissioning plans and bonding, stormwater, and battery-energy-storage systems and said staff will circulate examples and draft language for council comment.
Ward and Kalland discussed setback examples used elsewhere, ranging from modest roadside setbacks (50'100 feet) up to 500 feet, and even 1,000'2,000 feet on scenic routes. Ward presented four conceptual policy options: a spacing/acreage limit model ("Halifax"), very large uniform setbacks ("Clarendon"), a tiered setback system with variance authority ("Sumter"), and a design-heavy approach emphasizing landscaping and pollinator plantings ("Calhoun"). Ward said Chester can mix and match elements and that staff will bring a more detailed draft framework to a follow-up workshop.
No formal zoning amendments were adopted at the workshop; the agenda item on data centers was moved to the next meeting and was not discussed. Kalland offered to supply model ordinances and the Planning director agreed to circulate slides and collect council comments before returning with draft language.
There was no vote on substantive solar or battery rules at this meeting.