Solar Energy Generation Facility: any nonresidential solar collection applications designed to facilitate the capture and conversion of solar energy for the purpose of supplying electricity to utility companies.

20 feet from property lines; fences can go within setback

Fences must be at least 6 feet

25 feet

N/A

N/A

Major Site Plan required including ground level profile drawings of typical structures proposed and designed wind and ground snow loads. Facilities < 30 acres are permitted in zones OI, CC, RC, and I; special use permits required in zones R1, R2, R2R, R3. Facilities > 30 acres are not permitted in zones R1 and R2 and require special use permits for all other zones.

N/A

May 6, 2024

Alexander County, NC, regulates solar energy facilities primarily for nonresidential applications that supply electricity to utility companies. Facilities are permitted or permitted with a special use permit in certain districts, differentiated by facility acreage. The ordinance, sets a 20-foot setback from property lines for solar installations, allowing fences within this setback. Screening is required when adjacent to residential uses and must be placed outside the fencing, which must be at least 6 feet tall; facilities are not permitted on sites that are visible from a scenic byway. Buffers are only mandated if the adjacent zoning district does not permit solar generation. A height restriction of 25 feet applies, and while there are no explicit noise, visual, or decommissioning requirements, a major site plan is required, including ground-level profile drawings accounting for wind and snow loads.