Local developer asks commission to allow 8.5-acre by-right sites for 3 MW solar projects

Gary Hurrell, owner of Elevation Energy, told the Washington County Planning Commission he is preparing a 3-megawatt solar project in Washington County and urged the commission to consider increasing a by-right acreage threshold for such projects from 5 acres to 8.5 acres.

Hurrell said Appalachian Power allows customers, schools and businesses to have up to 3 megawatts and to participate in net-metering arrangements, and that "3 megawatts typically equates to an 8 acre, 8.5 acre size." He explained topography can change the acreage needed but said 8.5 acres generally matches what the utility's limit would produce. Hurrell described the Washington County project as a 3 MW installation that will "ultimately" include batteries and potentially a natural-gas backup generator and estimated the project would save roughly $5,000,000 over its life.

Commissioners thanked Hurrell for his industry perspective and invited anyone present who wished to comment on the solar ordinance to speak during public comment. Hurrell also framed solar as part of a resilient energy mix and raised reliability concerns tied to grid vulnerabilities.

The commission did not vote on zoning changes tonight; it had already moved to pull the ordinance for joint review with the Board of Supervisors and will take further public input at future meetings.