Sec. 46-273. Solar energy facility or solar farm.  In districts where permitted (see Table 46-101), a' "solar energy facility" or "solar farm," as defined in section 46-101 requiring a minimum of 5a acres tol be considered, shall be subject to thet following regulations:  (a) Mounting.  (1) Solar panels or solar arrays shall be mounted onto a pole, rack or suitable foundation, in accordance with manufacturer specifications, in order to ensure thes safe operation and stability oft the system. The mounting structure (fixed or tracking capable) shall be comprised of materials approved byt the manufacturer, which are ablet tot fullys support the system components, in accordance with applicable building permit requirements. Electrical components of the facility shall meet applicable electrical code requirements, and all electrical wires and lines less than 100kV that are usedi in conjunction with thes solar energy facility shall bei installed underground. (2) Multiple mounting structures shall be: spaced apart at the distance recommended by the (b) Setbacks. As solar energy facility andi its appurtenant components and structures shall be set backa minimum of 1001 feeti from all propertyl lines and 6001 feet from any residence.  manufacturer to ensures safety and maximum efficiency.  (c) Placement.  (1) When located in agricultural: zoning districts, the solar energy facility shall be located as much as (2) Iflocated in at floodplain or an area of known localized flooding, all panels, electrical wiring, automatic transfer switches, inverters, etc. shall be located above the base flood elevation. As site plan and elevation certificate showing thel location ofa all solar panels, electrical wiring, automatic transfer switches, inverters, etc., in relation tot thes scaled 100-year flood zone: shall accompany all (3) Components of thet facility shall not bel located over as septic system, leach field area, or identified reserve area unless approved by the health department. The components of thet facility shall not bel located in recharge areas, utility or road rights-of-way, or dedicated easements. (d) Screening. The facility shall bef fully screened from adjoining properties and adjacent roads using the natural topography or by installation of an evergreen buffer capable ofr reaching al height of six feet within three years of planting, with at least 75 percent opacity at thet time of planting. Within all vegetative buffers, equipment shall also be screened from view from adjacent property and fenced with opaque screening to restrict unauthorized access. Screening shall consist of a minimum of ten- foot opaque fence (color chosen bys staff) around the perimeter of the property with the addition of shrubbery, trees, or an earthen berm as may ber required to comply with glare requirements. Ini the event the area designated as a buffer does nots support vegetation, an earthen berm may be required tot further screen all structures. Landscaping and buffers must be routinely maintained. (1) Mounted solar panels or solar arrays shall not exceed eight feet above the apex of the structure on whichi it is mounted or the maximum height for buildings int thez zoning district in whichitis  possible to minimize impacts on prime agricultural: soils.  applications for approval ofs site plans andl building permits.  (e) Height.  located. All solar equipment shall be anchored to withstand winds shear.  (f) Security.  (1) Unless 24-hour security guards or video surveillance is provided at thei installation, the solar energy facility shall be enclosed bya a security fence no less than ten feeti in height.  Created: 2021-08-19 12:52:52 [EST]  (Supp. No.4)    (2) Access gates and equipment cabinets must be locked when not in use. (g) Noise. Inverter noise shall not exceed 40 dBA, measured at the property line.  (h) Glare and lighting.  (1) The solar energy system components! shall be designed with an antireflective coating or atl least shall not produce glare that would constitute a nuisance to occupants of neighboring properties, (2) Iflightingi is required, its shall be activated by motion sensors, fully shielded and downcast type where thel light does not spill onto any adjacent property ori into ther night sky. Maintenance and upkeep. Systems shall ber maintained in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. The operator of thei facility shall maintain thet facility, including all buffer screening, in compliance witht the approved plans ands shall keep thet facility freei from weeds, dust, trash and debris. All chemical applications shall be performed bya a certified, licensed applicator. Site plan review and development, permit. AS site plan reviewed and approved byt the Heard County zoning department shall be required prior toi issuance ofa development permit. In addition to requirements for site plans generally, thes sitep plan submission shall include thet following information: The proposed location and dimensions of all solar panels, inverters, existing and proposed structures, screening, fencing, property lines, parking, access driveways and1 turnout locations, ancillary equipment, transmission lines, vegetation, thel location of any residences on site and within 6001 feet of the perimeter of thei facility, thel location of any proposed solar access easements, ands standard (k) Additional, submission requirements. In addition to requirements for information tol be provided during the site plan review and development permitting process, thet facility shall not be approved for  aircraft, or persons traveling adjacent or nearby roads.  drawings of solar energy system components. operation until thet following are: submitted:  (1) Copy of all lease agreements and solar access easements.  (2) Where interconnection to an electric utility gridi is proposed, the applicant shall submit evidence that the electrical utility provider has been informed of the customer's intent to install an interconnected with the local electric utility grid. A copy oft the approval from thel local utility must also be provided before operation ofa ani interconnected facility will be authorized. Int the event of a power failure the owner must have an approved emergency response plan to protect utility workers working on downed power transmission lines and to disconnect thet transmission ofe electricity tot the power grid of any and all electric power operations andp plants. (3) Adecommissioningi plan must be in compliance with State Law, for the anticipated service life of thet facility or int the event that thet facility is abandoned or has reached its life expectancy. (4) The county may require other studies, reports, certifications, and/or approvals be submitted by (1) Removal of obsolete or unused: systems, or general replacement of panels. All obsolete or unused systems shall ber removed. Any structure or equipment associated with thes solar farm that is not operated for a continuous period of six months shall be considered an obsolete or unused system and decommissioned per the approved decommission plan. The design of thes solar electric system shall conform toi the applicablei industry standards, including those of the American National Standards Institute. The owner must pay for or provide training to Heard County Fire & EMA for response to grid  the applicant to ensure compliance with this section.  or panel fires, or destruction from natural disaster.  00.0n121920.170.52  Created: 2021-08-19 12:52:52 [EST]  (Supp. No. 4)