Model Clean Energy Ordinances

Our guidance 

Ensure setbacks balance multiple interests and support cost-effective solar development.

• Property lines: 50 to 200 feet
• Non-participating dwellings: 100 to 300 feet
• Rights-of-way: 100 to 150 feet
• Offer waivers for voluntary reduction in setbacks from dwellings or property lines by neighboring landowners.

Sample ordinance—Louisa County, Iowa

(See page 3)
 

The front yard setbacks shall be a minimum of fifty (50) feet from the edge of the right of way which form the outside perimeter of a Solar Garden or Solar Farm Energy System (SGES or SFES) project area and one hundred (100) feet from a residence that is a part of the SGES or SFES project area. The Board of Adjustment may grant an exception to the setback requirement if the proposed or existing buffer is sufficient to screen the project from view of adjoining property or public rights-of-way, if the owners of the adjoining properties agree in writing to waive these setback requirements. 

In the case of a SGES or SFES to be built on more than one parcel and parcels are abutting, a zero (0) side or rear setback shall be permitted to the property line in common with the abutting parcel(s).

Solar panels shall be at least three hundred (300) feet from a residence that is not part of the SGES or SFES project area. The Board of Adjustment may grant an exception to the setback requirement if the proposed or existing buffer is sufficient to screen the project from view of adjoining property or public rights-of-way, if the owners of the adjoining properties agree in writing to waive these setback requirements. 

Solar panels shall be eighty (80) feet from the State Right-of-Way and sixty (60) feet from County Right-of-Way.  

Our resources

• Nebraska Solar Siting Guide: A Roadmap for Counties
• Iowa Solar Siting Resource Guide

Our guidance

Require a decommissioning plan as part of the application and approval process to ensure the land will be restored and the associated costs will be covered once a project is no longer operating. Counties should require the project developer/owner to notify the county of their intent to stop using the facility and that should be the trigger for decommissioning to begin.

Sample ordinance—Mills County, Iowa 

(See page 10)

Decommissioning and Reclamation Plan: The applicant shall submit a decommissioning plan to the Mills County Zoning Administrator with the conditional use permit application.  The Zoning Administrator shall review the plan for completeness and refer it to the Mills County Board of Adjustment for review in conjunction with the conditional use permit and the Mills County Board of Supervisors for final consideration and approval prior to the applicant commencing construction.  The plan shall include:

• A description of the life of the Solar Energy System Utility-Scale (SESUS); the anticipated manner which the project will be decommissioned, including plans to recycle components; the anticipated site restoration actions; the estimated decommissioning costs in current dollars and the method for ensuring that funds will be available for decommissioning and restoration.
   
• Estimates for the total cost for decommissioning at the current value at site as determined by a Licensed Engineer.  Decommissioning costs shall take salvage value into account.
   
• A description of the plan to remove the SESUS and restore the land to its previous use upon the end of the project’s life, as stated in the Conditional Use Permit or as stated in the Mills County Zoning Ordinance. 
   
• Provisions for the removal of structures, debris and associated equipment on the surface and to a level of not less than four (4) feet below the surface, and the timeline/sequence in which removal is expected to occur. 
   
• Referencing the Agricultural Mitigation Section of Chapter 27, Section 12, provisions for the restoration of the soil, vegetation, and disturbed earth, which shall be graded and reseeded and /or the property may be returned to agricultural use.  Avoidance of topsoil is preferred.  The mitigation plan shall include environmental monitoring at the cost of the developer to be used in returning the project area back to agricultural use. Environmental monitoring will include best practices to address at minimum invasive species prevention, erosion, sediment control and debris removal.
    
• A provision that the terms of the decommissioning plan shall be binding upon the owner or operator and any of their successors, assigns or heirs and that the landowner has granted permission for access and easements of the property for decommissioning.  Verification of the same must be stated in the lease and provided to the Mills County Zoning Administrator.
   
  • Financial Surety.  After the tenth (10th ) year of operation, the applicant, facility owner or site operator shall provide a financial surety instrument to cover the cost of decommissioning in accordance with the following:
     
    • Decommissioning funds or financial surety shall be in an amount equal to the net cost for decommissioning the site, plus a ten percent (10%) contingency.
       
    • The financial security fund shall be maintained in the form of cash, certificate of deposit, performance bond, escrow account, surety bond, letter of credit, corporate guarantee or other form of financial assurance acceptable to the Mills County Board of Supervisors.  Any document evidencing the maintenance of the financial surety shall include provisions for releasing the funds to the County in the event decommissioning is not completed in a timely manner.
       
    • Financial security shall be maintained for the life of the project.
       
    • Every five (5) years, the facility owner or operator shall retain an independent Licensed Engineer to re-estimate the total cost of decommissioning and attest that the value of the financial surety instrument is appropriate.  This report shall be filed with the County Zoning Department and the Mills County Auditor. The decommissioning funds shall match the re-estimated cost of decommissioning.  Within ninety (90) days of filing the re-estimation report with the County, the facility owner or operator shall cause the fund balance of the financial surety instrument to be adjusted to ensure that it matches the re-estimated decomposition costs. The applicant shall file the approved decommissioning agreement and roads agreement with Mills County Register of Deeds prior to commencing construction.

Our resources

Decommissioning Solar Energy Systems Resource Guide

Our guidance

Encourage the implementation of native vegetation or other pollinator habitat on the project site and allow for possible dual-use or agrivoltaic practices.

• Mill County’s ordinance requires projects to pass a pollinator scorecard before receiving permit approval. Pollinator scorecards are best used an evaluator of a vegetation management plan rather than a ultimate decisionmaker. Counties should encourage the use of scorecards for decisionmaking while making it voluntary for passage. This allows more flexibility for other vegetation management methods like grazing, haying, or other types of agrivolataics.

Sample ordinance—Mills County, Iowa 

(See page 6)
 

• A Vegetation Mitigation Plan must be provided to the Building and Zoning Department with the permit application.  The Vegetation Plan will be reviewed by the Mills County Zoning Administrator to ensure it meets the Mills County Pollination Score Card requirements meeting an adequate score. 
   
• Ground under and around the solar array shall be planted with a perennial vegetated ground cover as identified in the Vegetation Mitigation Plan.  
  • The ground cover plan shall be developed in accordance with the following standards:
     
    • Avoid removal of topsoil to maximum extent possible during development and decommissioning unless part of a remediation effort. The area shall be planted and maintained, per the Vegetation Mitigation Plan, in perennial vegetation for the full operational life of the project to prevent erosion, manage runoff and build soil.  The Ground Cover Plan must include management methods and schedules for how the vegetation will be managed on an annual basis, with the particular attention given to the establishment period of approximately three (3) years.  The plan must include provisions for replacement of any required vegetation cover that fails to establish or dies during the life of the project.
       
    • Plant materials for the ground cover area must not have been treated with systemic insecticides, particularly neonicotinoids.
       
    • The application and Vegetation Mitigation Plan shall include the proposed seed mix specifications and growth guidelines to follow.
       
    • Seeding zones and their selected seed mixes should be clearly mapped on a site plan.
       
    • Seed and/or planting mixes and maintenance practices should be consistent with recommendations made by qualified natural resource professionals, such as those from a state department of natural resources, county soil and water conservation services, or natural resource conservation service.
        
    • Reporting to the County on ground cover management and maintenance activities shall be on an annual basis for a minimum of five (5) years after which point reduced frequency can be requested and approved at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator.
       
    • At the discretion of the Zoning Administrator, other practices such as small-scale farming, bee keeping operations or grazing may be allowed in the ground cover area as part of the conditions.

Our resources

• Amplifying Clean Energy with Conservation Part One: Pollinator-Friendly Solar
• Resource Guide: Native Seed Supply and Seed Mixes for Pollinator-Friendly Solar
• Native Vegetation and Solar Projects in Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota

Our guidance

Operations and maintenance plans as well as land use: Include an operations and maintenance plan and adopt land use requirements in the zoning regulations.

Sample ordinance—Kimball County, NE 

(See page 69)

Operation

• Materials Handling, Storage and Disposal 
  • All solid wastes related to the construction, operation and maintenance of the SES shall be removed from the site promptly and disposed of in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.
     
  • All hazardous materials related to the construction, operation and maintenance of the SES shall be handled, stored, transported and disposed of in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.
     
  • The owner or operator shall submit to the local fire department and/or the Emergency Management Coordinator a copy of the site plan.  Upon request by the local fire department and/or the Emergency Management Coordinator, the owner or operator shall cooperate with the relevant agency to develop any emergency response plan. Nothing in this section shall alleviate the need to comply with all other applicable fire laws and regulations.
     
• Maintenance Plan. The owner or operator shall submit a plan for the operation and maintenance of the solar energy system, which shall include measures for maintaining safe access to the installation, storm water controls, as well as general procedures for operational maintenance of the SES. 

Our resources

• Nebraska Solar Siting Guide: A Roadmap for Counties
• Iowa Solar Siting Resource Guide

Our guidance

Require a plan for reviewing and providing for repairs of potential impacts to roads and other infrastructure from solar project construction.

Sample ordinance—Meade County, South Dakota 

(See page 6)

All routes on either County, Political Townships or road district roads that will be used for construction or maintenance purposes shall be identified on the site plan. All routes for either ingress or egress must be shown. The routing in the unincorporated boundaries of the County shall be approved subject to the approval of the Meade County Highway Superintendent and the Road District or Political Township (if applicable). The Solar Energy Facility applicant/owner must enter into a road hall agreement and provide a preconstruction baseline survey mutually agreed upon with the Meade County Highway Superintendent, for construction activities involving the use of public roads, until the Solar Energy Facility is decommissioned, to determine the existing public road conditions for assessing potential future damage due to development related construction traffic. The developer shall provide a road repair plan for any damaged public road(s) to ameliorate any and all damages, installing, or replacement of roads that might be required. The applicant/owner shall provide an irrevocable letter of credit or surety bond upon submittal of the building permit application, in an amount and form approved by the Highway Superintendent and the Meade County Commission. Upon the completion of said construction activities, a final inspection and approval of any impacted public roads will be completed by the Meade County Highway Superintendent, a Release of the Bond or Irrevocable Letter of Credit at that time may be issued by Meade County.

Our resources

• Nebraska Solar Siting Guide: A Roadmap for Counties
• Iowa Solar Siting Resource Guide

Our guidance

We do not recommend glare provisions in a solar ordinance. Given how solar panels are constructed, glare or reflected light is not typically a major issue. Some local and federal authorities may require a flare study that shows the potential impact to the surrounding area, particularly on roads or airports.

Sample ordinance—Kimball County, Nebraska 

(See page 68)

Glare. All SES shall be placed such that concentrated solar radiation or glare does not project onto nearby structures or roadways. The applicant has the burden of proving that any glare produced does not have significant adverse impact on neighboring or adjacent uses either through siting or mitigation.

Sample ordinance—Stearns County, Minnesota 

(See page 144)

Aviation Analysis. If the project is within two miles of an airport, the applicant must complete and provide the results of the Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool (SGHAT) for the Airport Traffic Control Tower cab and final approach paths, consistent with the Interim Policy, FAA Review of Solar Energy Projects on Federally Obligated Airports, or successor policy. The applicant must also complete the Air Space Case Analysis (Form 7460) and provide the results. 

Our resources

• Nebraska Solar Siting Guide: A Roadmap for Counties
• Iowa Solar Siting Resource Guide

Our guidance

We do not recommend placing height restrictions as this may interfere with future agrisolar development over taller crops like corn. Officials could couple the height with longer setbacks from neighboring properties as seen in Des Moines county’s ordinance. This eliminates the absolute restriction on the height while taking into account concerns of neighboring properties.

Sample ordinance—Des Moines County, Iowa 

(See page 7)

Height Restrictions. All measurements shall be taken from the highest point on a panel when it is positioned at maximum vertical tilt. 

• The height of any solar array within an SFES shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet. 
  • In any instance where the distance a solar array and the nearest occupied dwelling or civic building will be greater than the minimums outlined in Section A of this Article, the maximum height shall be increased by one (1) foot for every two (2) feet at which that distance exceeds the minimum (Setback distance from occupied dwellings increases by 2 feet for every 1 foot increase in height above 15 feet).

Our resources

• Nebraska Solar Siting Guide: A Roadmap for Counties
• Iowa Solar Siting Resource Guide

Our guidance

We do not recommend that counties adopt screening provisions or requirements. Including these can add cost and cause shading on solar panels which may cause the project to be less productive and may prevent installations. However, some counties have successfully included this like Louisa County, IA. Screening should be determined in coordination with adjacent landowners according to their specific needs and viewshed concerns.

Sample ordinance—Louisa County, Iowa 

(See page 4)

Screening: A landscape buffer may be required to be installed and maintained during the life of the operation. Determination of screening requirements will be made by the Board of Adjustment as part of the review and approval process and will be based on adjacent or nearby surrounding land uses and topography.

Our resources

• Nebraska Solar Siting Guide: A Roadmap for Counties
• Iowa Solar Siting Resource Guide 

Our guidance

• Occupied dwellings or building: 3 times the turbine height or 1,000 feet
• Property line: 1.1 times the turbine height or length of the turbine blade
• Right of way: 1.1 times the turbine height
• Communication and electrical lines: 1.1 times the turbine height
• Consultation with the local conservation board or Department of Natural Resources on specific setbacks from elevated biodiverse areas
• Specific language - “Airport setbacks should not be greater than the FAA requirement”

Sample ordinance—Johnson County, Iowa 

(See page 235)

The following setback regulations apply to all towers installed as a part of a Commercial Wind Energy Facility: 

• Occupied Buildings of Participating Landowners. Wind turbines shall be set back from the nearest occupied building of a participating landowner at a distance of one hundred and ten (110) percent of the turbine height. The setback distance shall be measured from the center of the wind turbine base to the nearest point on the foundation of the occupied building.
• Occupied Buildings of Non-participating Landowners. Wind turbines shall be set back from the nearest occupied building located on a non-participating landowner’s property at a distance of not less than one thousand (1,000) feet or one hundred and ten (110) percent of the turbine height, whichever is greater. The setback distance shall be measured from the center of the wind turbine base to the nearest point on the foundation of the occupied building.
• Public and Private Roads. All wind turbines shall be set back from the right-of-way of all public and private roads a distance of 1.1 times the turbine height. The setback distance shall be measured from the center of the wind turbine base to the nearest point on the property line or right-of-way line.
   
• Property Lines of Participating Landowners. Wind turbines shall be set back from all property lines of participating landowners a distance of 1.1 times the turbine height. The setback distance shall be measured from the center of the wind turbine base to the nearest point on the property line or right-of-way line.
   
• Property Lines of Non-Participating Landowners. Wind turbines shall be set back from all property lines of non-participating landowners a distance of five hundred (500) feet or one hundred and ten (110) percent of the turbine height, whichever is greater. The setback distance shall be measured from the center of the wind turbine base to the nearest point on the property line or to the nearest point on the foundation of the occupied building.

Sample ordinance—Freeborn County, Minnesota

• Definitions
  • Total height means the highest point, above ground level, reached by a rotor tip or any other part of the WECS.
  • RD = Rotor Diameter
     

• Aviation (public and private airports). No WECS shall be located so as to create an obstruction to navigable airspace of public and private airports in the county. Setbacks or other limitations are determined in accordance with the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Department of Aviation and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.

  Setback Type	Micro-WECS less than 100’ Hub Height	Non-Commercial WECS 100' But Less Than 200' Hub Height	Commercial Equal to or Greater Than 200' Hub Height	Meteorological Tower
  Project boundary/ property lines	1.1 times the total height	1.1 times the total height	3 RD non- prevailing and 5  RD prevailing	1.1 times the total height
  Road right-of-way	1.1 times the total height	1.1 times the total height	1.1 times the total height	1.1 times the total height
  Other right-of-way (railroads, power lines, recreational trails, etc.)	1.1 times the total height	1.1 times the total height	1.1 times the total height	1.1 times the total height
  Public conservation lands	1.1 times the total height	1.1 times the total height	3 RD	600’
  Non-residential structures	N/A	1.1 times the total height	1.1 times the total height	Minimum of 250’
  Public drainage ditch	50’	50’	50’	50’
  Public drainage tile	30’	30’	30’	30’
  Dwelling on adjacent properties in "A" zone	150’	750’	1,000’	500’
  Municipality, residential zone, campgrounds, churches, health care facilities	150’	750’	2,640’	500’

Our resources

• Information Guide: Wind Energy Ordinances
• Report Recap: Review of Wind Energy Setbacks

Our guidance

A decommissioning plan that includes these items:

• Specific requirements for removal of equipment to not interfere with normal operations.
• Restoration of land and roadways after removal of the parts and equipment.
• Financial guarantee on projected cost for decommissioning with a third-party estimate.

Sample ordinance—Otter Tail County, Minnesota 

(See page 14)

A Renewable Energy System shall be considered a discontinued use after one (1) year without energy production, unless a plan is developed and submitted to the Land & Resource Management Director outlining steps and schedule for returning the Renewable Energy System to service.

• Abandonment and Decommissioning Plan. The Plan shall contain:
  • A description of how the project will be disconnected from the grid;
  • A detailed description of how the physical components will be removed, transported off-site, and disposed of. The description shall include the stepwise process of removal (e.g. how will the blades be removed, what components need to be broken down on site, what can be salvaged, and what and where will it be landfilled).
  • If any of the land is leased, a description of decommissioning, abandonment, and removal conditions included in landowner leases (e.g. how is it decided whether roads remain).
  • A statement of the restoration goal and a detailed description of how restoration will be accomplished.
    • All components and accessory facilities shall be physically removed to four (4) feet below ground level.
    • Disposal of all solid and hazardous waste in accordance with local, state and federal waste disposal regulations
    • Stabilization or re-vegetation of the site as necessary to minimize erosion.
  • A detailed estimate of decommissioning costs. This estimate should detail cost assumptions (e.g. number of days of crane rental, transportation costs, disposal fees, scrap value, etc.) and a timeline for updating the costs. The estimate shall be prepared by a Professional Engineer, a contractor capable of decommissioning. The cost estimate for removal shall include an adjustment for inflation over the expected life of the project.
  • For Commercial WECS and Large Solar Energy Systems, a plan decommissioning security, including the type of instruments being considered, a timeline for funding of the assurance (e.g. twenty-five percent (25%) of estimated cost in year ten (10), twenty-five percent (25%) in year fifteen (15)), a description of how the amount of money available will be reconciled with the changing cost estimates, and the proposed beneficiary of the security. The plan must be reviewed every five (5) years with a copy of the updated plan submitted to the Otter Tail County Planning Commission. The County Board may require the posting of a bond, letter of credit, or the establishment of an escrow account to ensure proper decommissioning.
  • The plan shall also address road maintenance during and after completion of the decommissioning in compliance with this ordinance.

Our resource

• Decommissioning Wind Energy Systems Resource Guide
   

Our guidance

We have found noise standards to be around 45-50 decibels from the setback distance of occupied buildings.

 Sample ordinance—Freeborn County, Minnesota 

(See Ch. 26)
 

• Preliminary acoustic studies. An acoustic study that demonstrates the project will be compliant with Minnesota Rules 7030, as amended. This shall include the estimated dB(A) levels at all receptors within a one-mile of the nearest turbine within a project area and shall include accumulated sound within the project.
  Noise. All WECS shall comply with Minnesota Rule 7030, as amended, governing noise. 
   

Sample ordinance—Kimball County, Nebraska 

(See page 56)
 

• Noise.  A detailed description of the potential noise levels that would be generated by the proposed wind turbines at the proposed site including existing sound levels, projected sound levels to be generated by the operation of the proposed wind turbines, the methodology used to monitor and evaluate sound levels, the wind turbine manufacturer’s technical documentation of the noise emission characteristics of the proposed wind turbines, and an analysis of compliance with the most current noise control regulations established by international, federal and state.  Any proposed wind turbine shall produce sound levels that are no more than fifty (50) decibels as measured on the dB(A) scale with Sound Level Lden.  Measurements shall be at the property line and at the nearest occupied dwelling.  (Resolution 2022-29, June 21, 2022).

Our resource

• Wind Energy and Noise

Our guidance

The most common shadow flicker standard that we have found has been no more than 30 hours annually for each structure.

Sample ordinance—Freeborn County, Minnesota 

(See Ch. 26)
 

• A flicker analysis shall include the duration and location of flicker potential for all receptors and roadways within a one-mile radius of each turbine within a project. The applicant shall provide a site map identifying the locations of shadow flicker that may be caused by the project and the expected durations of the flicker at these locations from sun-rise to sunset over the course of a year. The analysis shall account for topography but not for obstacles such as accessory structures and trees. Flicker at any receptor shall not exceed 30 hours per year within the analysis area.
   

Sample ordinance—Kimball County, Nebraska 

(See page 56)
 

• Shadow Flicker. A detailed description of the potential shadow-flicker producing features of each of the proposed wind turbines at the proposed site, including, an analysis of conditions that may cause shadow flicker, the methodology used to evaluate shadow flicker and the manufacturer’s technical documentation relating to shadow flicker.  Calculations shall be from each proposed wind turbine at the proposed site to each occupied dwelling.  Calculations shall be based on Scottsbluff-Gering National Climate Data Source.   Shadow flicker on any occupied structure on a property shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes per day and thirty (30) hours per year. (Resolution 2022-29, June 21, 2022)

Sample ordinance—Clayton County, Iowa 

(See page 5)
 

• Shadow flicker on an occupied building shall not exceed thirty (30) hours per calendar year.

Our resource

• Wind Energy and Shadow Flicker

Our guidance

Counties should put a process in place for assessing and repairing damaged infrastructure before construction.

Sample ordinance—Humbolt County, Iowa 

(See local ordinance)
 

Roads

• The applicant shall identify all county, municipal or township roads to be used for the purpose of transporting WECS, substation parts, cement, and/or equipment for construction, operation or maintenance of the WECS and obtain applicable weight and size permits from the impacted jurisdictions prior to construction.
• The applicant shall conduct a pre-construction survey, in coordination with the appropriate jurisdictions to determine existing road conditions. The survey shall include photographs and a written agreement to document the condition of the public road.
• The applicant shall be responsible for restoring the road(s) and bridges to preconstruction conditions.

Drainage Systems

• The applicant shall be responsible for immediate repair of damage to public drainage systems stemming from construction, operation or maintenance of the WECS. 

Our resource

• Information Guide: Wind Energy Ordinances 

Our guidance

Follow Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, however, officials can require developers to install special lighting systems that can turn on when an aircraft is detected.

Sample ordinance—Miner County, South Dakota 

(See page 98)
 

• Lighting. Towers shall be marked as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). There shall be no lights on the towers other than what is required by the FAA. This restriction shall not apply to infrared heating devices used to protect the monitoring equipment. The preferred manner of lighting is by means of an Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS). Subject to FAA approval, applicants will install an ADLS within one (1) year of approval by FAA for the specified project. In the event FAA does not approve an ADLS system, the turbine owner will comply with all lighting and markings otherwise required by FAA. Beacon lighting, unless required by FAA, shall not be utilized.

Our resource

• Wind Energy and Lighting

Our guidance

Signage posted that provides the project name, address, emergency contact information for operators, technicians, and warnings.

Otter Tail County, Minnesota 

(See page 12)
 

• For all WECS, a sign or signs shall be posted on the tower, transformer and substation warning of high voltage. Signs with emergency contact information shall also be posted on the turbine or at another suitable point.
• Other Signage — The manufacturer's or owner's company name and/or logo may be placed upon the nacelle, compartment containing the electrical generator, of the Renewable Energy System.

Our resource

• Information Guide: Wind Energy Ordinances

Our guidance

Officials should only consider adding language for ordinances affecting geographical areas where ice formation is likely.

Sully County, South Dakota 

(See page 35)
 

• Ice Throw: The permittee shall utilize all measures to minimize ice throw. Permittee shall use two (2) methods to detect icing conditions on turbine blades: (1) sensors that detect when blades become imbalanced or create vibration due to ice accumulation; and (2) meteorological data from on-site permanent meteorological towers, on-site anemometers, and other relevant meteorological sources that will be used to determine if ice accumulation is occurring. These control systems will either automatically shut down the turbine(s) in icing conditions (per the sensors), or permittee will manually shut down the turbine(s) if icing conditions are identified (using meteorological data). Turbines will not return to normal operation until the control systems no longer detect an imbalance or when weather conditions either remove icing on the blades or indicate icing is no longer a concern. Permittee shall bear financial responsibility for any documented damage caused by ice throw from a turbine.

Our resource

• Icing and Wind Energy Systems

Our guidance

Officials could include language for prairie strips along access roads and around turbines.

No wind ordinances within our database were observed to touch on this language. In 2020, the center published a three-part report on amplifying clean energy with conservation. One of these went in-depth with possible conservation measures that can be implemented within wind turbine sites. Officials seeking to include this in a wind ordinance can read this report for ideas.

Amplifying Clean Energy with Conservation: Exploring Wind Energy and Stewardship

Our resource

• Amplifying Clean Energy with Conservation: Exploring Wind Energy and Stewardship

Our guidance

WECS are a uniform color(s), and limit the addition of logos or signage beyond the name and logo of the project or manufacturer.

Sample ordinance—Freeborn County, Minnesota

(See Ch. 26)
 

• Color and finish. All wind turbines and towers that are part of a WECS shall be white, grey or another non-obtrusive color. Blades may be black in order to facilitate deicing. Finishes shall be matte or non-reflective.

Our resource

• Information Guide: Wind Energy Ordinances