A better “footprint” definition for the solar ordinance

The Sept 2021 Draft Ordinance defines Footprint as – “Footprint of the SES is calculated by drawing a perimeter around the outermost SES panels and any equipment necessary for the equipment to function, such as transformers and inverters. The Footprint does not include perimeter fencing or visual buffers, nor transmission lines or portions thereof that are required to connect the SES to a utility or customer outside the SES perimeter.“

During the Sept 1 Maysville Mason County Joint Planning Meeting, at the 11:40 minute mark, Commissioners Reed and Walters correctly pointed out another area they thought of as Footprint. They called for Footprint to include all fencing and screening. 

Their comments demonstrated the ambiguity of the simple term Footprint. Depending on the topic, a speaker may need to discuss one area or the other. 

The Nov 2021 Draft Ordinance defines Footprint as – “Footprint of the SES is calculated by drawing a perimeter around the outermost SES panels and any fencing or equipment necessary for the equipment to function, such as transformers and inverters. The footprint does not include visual buffers, nor transmission lines or portions thereof that are required to connect the SES to a utility or customer outside the SES perimeter”

It is important and useful to define both the area generating power and the total SES area. Neither definition is always the one needed. Instead, the solar ordinance should contain two definitions.

Facility-Footprint  of the SES is calculated by drawing a perimeter around the outermost SES panels and any equipment necessary for the equipment to function, such as transformers and inverters. The Footprint does not include perimeter fencing or visual buffers, nor transmission lines or portions thereof that are required to connect the SES to a utility or customer outside the SES perimeter. 

Project Area Footprint of the SES is calculated by drawing a perimeter around the outermost SES perimeter fencing and visual buffers, including all leased/purchaced area not including transmission lines or portions thereof that are required to connect the SES to a utility or customer outside the SES perimeter. 

If our goal is to allow well-regulated solar to contribute to Maysville Mason County’s economic and ecological future, then a defined vocabulary with precise meanings is crucial

Which, I guess, raises a question. Are we all working to draft a document so well-regulated solar can contribute to Maysville Mason County’s economic and ecological future? Or do some (as their yards signs say) strive to stop both Maysville and Mason County from enjoying any of the environmental and economic benefits of well-regulated solar?