(1) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage renewable solar electrical generation throughout this state. It is essential that solar facilities and associated electric infrastructure be constructed and maintained in various locations throughout this state in order to ensure the availability of renewable energy production, which is critical to this state’s energy and economic future.
(2) As used in this section, the term “solar facility” means a production facility for electric power which:
(a) Uses photovoltaic modules to convert solar energy to electricity that may be stored on site, delivered to a transmission system, and consumed primarily offsite.
(b) Consists principally of photovoltaic modules, a mounting or racking system, power inverters, transformers, collection systems, battery systems, fire suppression equipment, and associated components.
(c) May include accessory administration or maintenance buildings, electric transmission lines, substations, energy storage equipment, and related accessory uses and structures.
(3) A solar facility shall be a permitted use in all agricultural land use categories in a local government comprehensive plan and all agricultural zoning districts within an unincorporated area and must comply with the setback and landscaped buffer area criteria for other similar uses in the agricultural district.
(4) A county may adopt an ordinance specifying buffer and landscaping requirements for solar facilities. Such requirements may not exceed the requirements for similar uses involving the construction of other facilities that are permitted uses in agricultural land use categories and zoning districts.
(5) This section does not apply to any site that was the subject of an application to construct a solar facility submitted to a local governmental entity before July 1, 2021.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2021-178.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title XI - County Organization and Intergovernmental Relations
Chapter 163 - Intergovernmental Programs
163.2511 - Urban infill and redevelopment.
163.2514 - Growth Policy Act; definitions.
163.2517 - Designation of urban infill and redevelopment area.
163.2520 - Economic incentives.
163.3161 - Short title; intent and purpose.
163.3162 - Agricultural Lands and Practices.
163.3164 - Community Planning Act; definitions.
163.3168 - Planning innovations and technical assistance.
163.3171 - Areas of authority under this act.
163.3174 - Local planning agency.
163.3177 - Required and optional elements of comprehensive plan; studies and surveys.
163.31771 - Accessory dwelling units.
163.31777 - Public schools interlocal agreement.
163.3178 - Coastal management.
163.31801 - Impact fees; short title; intent; minimum requirements; audits; challenges.
163.31802 - Prohibited standards for security devices.
163.3182 - Transportation deficiencies.
163.3184 - Process for adoption of comprehensive plan or plan amendment.
163.3187 - Process for adoption of small scale comprehensive plan amendment.
163.3191 - Evaluation and appraisal of comprehensive plan.
163.3194 - Legal status of comprehensive plan.
163.3197 - Legal status of prior comprehensive plan.
163.3201 - Relationship of comprehensive plan to exercise of land development regulatory authority.
163.3202 - Land development regulations.
163.3204 - Cooperation by state and regional agencies.
163.3205 - Solar facility approval process.
163.32051 - Floating solar facilities.
163.3208 - Substation approval process.
163.3209 - Electric transmission and distribution line right-of-way maintenance.
163.3211 - Conflict with other statutes.
163.3213 - Administrative review of land development regulations.
163.3215 - Standing to enforce local comprehensive plans through development orders.
163.3217 - Municipal overlay for municipal incorporation.
163.3220 - Short title; legislative intent.
163.3221 - Florida Local Government Development Agreement Act; definitions.
163.3227 - Requirements of a development agreement.
163.3229 - Duration of a development agreement and relationship to local comprehensive plan.
163.3231 - Consistency with the comprehensive plan and land development regulations.
163.3233 - Local laws and policies governing a development agreement.
163.3235 - Periodic review of a development agreement.
163.3237 - Amendment or cancellation of a development agreement.
163.3239 - Recording and effectiveness of a development agreement.
163.3246 - Local government comprehensive planning certification program.
163.3248 - Rural land stewardship areas.
163.3252 - Local manufacturing development program; master development approval for manufacturers.
163.3253 - Coordinated manufacturing development approval process.