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2 <br />2. Allows for solar facilities consistent with all other `utilities' as denoted within the <br />Utilities land use category of the UDO.' <br />3. Established acceptable levels of power generation for solar panels erected on <br />private property to address on -site power needs, specifically: <br />a. For residential land uses: <br />i. Having a rated capacity consistent with local utility providers net <br />metering policies not to exceed 20 kilowatts of electricity generated <br />on -site, <br />ii. Having a rated storage volume for heated water not to exceed 240 <br />gallons, and <br />iii. Having a collector area of more than 1,000 square feet for thermal <br />collection.2 <br />b. For non - residential land uses: <br />i. Limits based on the average utility need (i.e. electricity, water, etc.) <br />to support the non - residential land use. s <br />4. Adopted new regulations governing the review and approval of solar facilities <br />intended for commercial /public utility purposes. <br />5. Facilities generating over 20, but under 100, kilowatts are reviewed through the <br />Class B Special Use Permit process (i.e. acted upon by the Board of <br />Adjustment).4 <br />6. Facilities generating over 100 kilowatts are reviewed through the Class A Special <br />Use Permit process (i.e. acted upon by the BOCC with a recommendation from <br />the Planning Board ).5 <br />The attached table provides a synopsis of solar regulations enforced throughout the <br />State. <br />In reviewing these regulations staff would note the following: <br />a. Orange County regulations are comparable with other standards currently <br />being enforced throughout the State. <br />b. Orange County's standards provide distinctions, with respect to permit <br />review and approval of a solar facility, based on the overall intensity of a <br />given project (i.e. how much power is generated and for what purpose) <br />while others seem to base their development /review processes on the size <br />of property where a solar facility is to be located. <br />i Section 5.2 Table of Permitted Uses. <br />2 Section 5.9.6 (A) (1) (b) of the UDO. <br />3 There was lengthy discussion on this provision. Several Planning Board and BOCC members did not want to <br />establish a definitive limit that could hinder non - residential developments from becoming energy self- sufficient. <br />4 Standards of evaluation and development are located within Section 5.9.6 (B) of the UDO. <br />5 Standards of evaluation and development are located within Section 5.9.6 (C) of the UDO. <br />