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Cecil Township holds first hearing on proposed solar‑energy ordinance; rooftop vs. farm systems, battery storage flagged
Summary
At a Jan. 5 hearing the Cecil Township Board of Supervisors began review of a proposed solar‑energy ordinance that would add principal solar energy systems as conditional uses in several districts; public commenters and board members focused on where farms should be allowed, how to treat roof‑mounted panels, battery storage inspection and decommissioning requirements.
Cecil Township opened a multi‑part public hearing Jan. 5 on a proposed solar‑energy ordinance that would add definitions and allow principal solar energy systems (PSEs) as a conditional use in several zoning districts.
Board members said the proposal is an initial draft that will require further hearings. "There's going to be more than one hearing," one member said, noting the township had already received comments from the Washington County Planning Commission and expected local planning commission input.
Public commenters and supervisors focused on three core questions: where large, ground‑mounted solar farms should be allowed; whether roof‑mounted panels should be treated separately; and how to regulate battery storage and related inspections. Cara Shuran asked whether the draft addresses both freestanding solar farms and roof‑mounted systems, noting that rooftop panels already exist across residential neighborhoods. "I'm curious if that will cause confusion," Shuran said, urging clarity between roof‑mounted accessory systems and principal ground‑mounted systems.
Board and staff responses indicated the draft is primarily aimed at principal, ground‑mounted systems (solar farms) while rooftop installations typically function as accessory installations and are handled differently by building and electrical inspections. Township staff also raised questions the board should consider, including minimum acreage thresholds, whether PSEs may be principal uses on parcels without a primary structure, limits on systems that feed power to the grid versus those serving only the host property, and decommissioning/financial security requirements to protect neighbors.
The hearing produced no final decisions; the board said it will incorporate feedback, consider additional standards (screening, fencing, insurance, decommissioning), and hold at least one more hearing on the draft.
