Solar fields: solar farms, and wind farms are considered public service facilities. Solar farm: collections of solar panels that work together to capture sunlight and turn it into electricity.

Cabarrus County, NC, regulates solar farms as public service facilities which require a special use permit; solar farms have additional standards beyond those for public service facilities. Solar farms are defined as collections of panels that generate electricity from sunlight. For solar installations, a 6-foot fence is required, along with a Type 1 vegetative buffer when adjacent to residential properties or public rights-of-way; existing vegetation must be preserved where applicable. Visual screening must provide complete blockage from view of adjacent residences and roads. The maximum height for solar structures is 10 feet, and facilities must demonstrate that glare will not adversely impact surrounding properties or roadways. A solar facility is considered abandoned if it ceases energy production for 12 months and must be decommissioned within the following 12 months. A performance bond equal to at least 125% of the decommissioning cost is required. A site plan, emergency plan, airport analysis, landscape plan, and maintenance plan are required standards for solar farms.