An ordinance to regulate solar panels has passed first reading by Williamsburg County Council. On March 19, County Supervisor Kelvin Washington presented Ordinance 2024-05: An Ordinance to Provide Rules, Regulations and Reasonable Standards for the Construction, Installation, and Operation of Solar Energy Facilities, Solar Power Generating Facilities and/or Solar Farms to council.
The ordinance sets development standards for solar energy facilities, solar power generating facilities, and solar farms, and sets parameters for the protection of the health and safety of the citizens of Williamsburg County and the protection of not only the health of the environment, but the natural scenery, as well. The ordinance also addresses design and operation standards and decommissioning of solar panel farms
At the March 4 Council meeting, Washington said, “Council spent a tremendous amount of time on the ordinance.” They have taken into consideration what other counties across SC have done. He also explained that they were careful to not go to the extremes in an effort to ward off any possible lawsuits in the future pertaining to solar panels.
Gretchen Pool, Energy Program Coordinator for the SC Energy office spoke at the February 20 Council meeting about solar energy. She explained what solar panels are made of, how they work, and what resources are available to learn more about them. Her complete presentation can be accessed on the Williamsburg County Government Facebook page by watching the February 20 live streamed council meeting.
Pool said in 2014 there were only 581 Kilowatts of energy produced by solar power in SC. As of July 31, 2023, that number rose to 39,101 kw. Only 10% of the solar energy produced in Williamsburg County is residential/commercial, the other 90% is utility scale.
The increasing number of solar farms in the county has produced some concern from citizens. Washington hopes the resources he has provided, along with the ordinance-in-full that has been posted on the Williamsburg County Government Facebook page and also their website as of March 20 will put people at ease. A public meeting concerning this ordinance will be held on April 16.
More information about solar panels can be accessed at solar.sc.gov.
Citizens who would like to speak to his/her county council member about solar panels or any other concern, can attend one of the upcoming District meetings. For dates and more information about these meetings, call 843-355-9321, ext. 5102 or 5401. For information about the April 16 meeting, stay tuned to the Williamsburg County Government Facebook page.
