Fact Sheet Provides Resources for Dual-use Solar Ordinances

The Center for Rural Affairs published a new fact sheet, Best Practices for Adopting Dual-Use Solar Ordinances, that addresses ordinance development for using the same land for both solar energy generation and agricultural production, including livestock grazing, crop production, pollinator habitats, or beekeeping. “Dual use is a great solution to alleviate concerns about solar on agricultural land,” said Mallory Tope, policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. “We encourage local decision makers to consider agrisolar and dual use when drafting or amending ordinances related to solar development.” The fact sheet explains that to support dual use development, counties could set additional land-use expectations, adopt zoning approaches that allow for mixed land use, or establish overlay districts for special solar permits.
Related NCAT resource: AgriSolar Clearinghouse