The bill amends Florida Statutes to enhance the regulatory framework for solar facilities, particularly focusing on their decommissioning processes. It establishes legislative intent to promote renewable solar energy while ensuring that agricultural land used for solar facilities is returned to a viable agricultural state post-decommissioning. Key definitions are introduced, including "agricultural land" and "decommissioned," which outlines the requirements for returning land to its original condition after the solar facility's useful life. The bill allows counties to adopt ordinances mandating proper decommissioning of solar facilities exceeding 2 megawatts, presuming a facility has reached the end of its useful life under specific conditions, and enabling facility owners to rebut this presumption.

Additionally, the bill empowers counties to require financial assurances from solar facility owners to cover decommissioning costs and mandates regular updates on these estimates. If a facility owner fails to decommission as required, counties can take action to complete the process, including forfeiting financial assurances. The bill also clarifies that these provisions do not apply to sites with applications submitted before July 1, 2021, with a specific exception for applications submitted before July 1, 2025. Furthermore, it amends a cross-reference related to electric substations to ensure consistency with the new regulations.

Statutes affected:
H 1595 Filed: 163.3205, 163.3208
H 1595 c1: 163.3205, 163.3208