More solar could come to county

Published 8:00 am Friday, May 20, 2022

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The Charlotte County Planning Commission will consider a recommendation on yet another solar facility for the county.

This time, the Tall Pines Solar projects conditional use permit (CUP) for a 240-megawatt solar energy facility is scheduled to be discussed at the regular meeting of the Planning Commission to be held at Randolph-Henry High School Auditorium on May 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Last year NOVI Energy submitted its application to the county to develop the solar project located in the area of Welsch Tract Road and Bethlehem Road near Charlotte Court House.

Based on the developer’s application, the project will be located on approximately 1,775 acres of land owned by four different landowners.

According to county documents, the project infrastructure will consist primarily of approximately 530,000 solar modules.

The proposal indicates that the project will have eight gated entranced to public roads, with the main entrance being located on Welsh Tract Road:

The developer proposes setbacks of 100 feet from wetlands and 75 feet side equipment setback; setbacks of 75 feet from the center of the transmission line; and setbacks of 125 feet from the front property line.

In addition, NOVI Energy proposes a minimum 25-foot vegetated buffer using existing vegetation where possible and planting new vegetation where necessary.

Following the planning commission meeting, a recommendation will be provided to the Board of Supervisors, followed by a public hearing prior to voting on the application.

NOVI Energy is based in Novi, Michigan, and is the developer of the recently approved 150 MW Courthouse Solar project.