Solar facility approval process; construction requirements.

(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) CONSTRUCTION BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.—

(a)1. An applicant for permits required under s. 373.413 shall incorporate site-specific and appropriate additional protections in the development and implementation of an erosion and sediment control plan for the construction of a solar facility. Such plans must include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

a. Soil percolation testing on the premises of a proposed solar facility.

b. Implementation of stormwater best management practices and related erosion controls for runoff during the construction of a solar facility that are based on rainfall amounts up to the 100-year, 24-hour design storm for the project site.

c. Clearing and stabilization in phases as needed to reduce disturbed portions of the project site which may be susceptible to erosion during construction.

2. Inspections must be performed by a certified Florida Stormwater, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Inspector during construction to ensure the plan is being implemented in accordance with the permitting requirements under s. 373.413.

(b) Within the jurisdictional boundary of the Northwest Florida Water Management District, an operational phase stormwater management system permitted under part IV of chapter 373 that serves a solar facility must be designed based on the 100-year, 24-hour design storm for the project site. This paragraph applies to applications for new solar facilities filed after July 1, 2026.

(c) The operator of a solar facility or a proposed solar facility shall implement all construction and operational permit requirements developed and applicable under paragraph (a).

(6) 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.