Revised solar ordinance set for March 19 hearing in Amherst [Video]

A revised ordinance that regulates utility-scale solar farm operations in Amherst County is set for a March 19 public hearing before county officials.

The Amherst County Board of Supervisors and Amherst County Planning Commission will have a joint meeting on that date to discuss the proposed ordinance. Tyler Creasy, director of community development, said the commission recently spent much time developing a more comprehensive ordinance for companies that generate electricity through solar farms.

To date, the county has approved two solar farm operations generating 10 megawatts or fewer. A third proposal for a 50-megawatt operation by Energix Renewables, an Alexandria-based firm, received the board of supervisors’ unanimous denial on Feb. 20.

The commission also voted on two occasions last year to recommend denial of the project — members of both bodies said they felt the planned site on Virginia 151 in northwestern Amherst County close to the Nelson County border …