Large Scale Commercial Standalone Solar Energy Farm: series of 3 or more ground-mounted solar collectors installed on a site for the purpose of converting energy into electrical or thermal energy for on-site and/or off-site energy consumption

Kershaw County, SC, defines large-scale commercial standalone solar energy farms as sites with three or more ground-mounted collectors. These facilities must maintain 100-foot setbacks from all road rights-of-way and adjacent property lines, with additional buffers of 50 feet from residential areas and 20 feet from other properties. Buffer designs are dependant on zoning districts and should protect existing vegetation wherever possible. A six-foot security fence is required, and panels must be positioned to eliminate glare beyond the property line. Decommissioning plans must outline project life, cost estimates, and restoration measures, backed by a performance guarantee of at least 125% of estimated costs (minus salvage value) or $50,000, updated every five years. Facilities inactive for six months must be decommissioned within 12 months. The applicant shall hold a community meeting prior to submission of the conditional use application to the Planning and Zoning Department. Written notice of the community meeting must be mailed to owners of record for real property located within one mile of the boundaries of the proposed project at least 21 days prior to the date of the meeting. Permitted by right in industrial districts and as conditional use in rural resource districts.