55.4

Risk Grade

Fair

Growing exurban county with moderate trajectory risk from suburban expansion; saturation moderate; uncertainty from evolving planning process

Assessment Snapshot

Population

24633

State Rank

#61

Compliance

45%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

100 ft from property lines; 300 ft from residences (estimated per CUP conditions)

Zoning Mechanism

CUP from Butts County Board of Commissioners; public hearing required

Acreage Caps

No formal cap

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

None formal

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Mixed; growing exurban population skeptical of large solar near residential areas; rural landowners receptive

Basis for Assessment

Jackson Progress-Argus; BOC meeting coverage 2022-2023

Political Risk Factors

Increasing; exurban growth from Atlanta metro brings mixed attitudes; conservative county commission managing development pressures

Board Members

[Board of Commissioners] | See county website | Non-Partisan | Term Expires: Unknown

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

SERC / Georgia Power (Southern Company)

Utilities

Georgia Power, Flint EMC (portions)

State Permitting Process

County zoning authority; no state solar preemption; conditional use permit typically required for utility-scale (>1 MW)

State Incentives

Federal ITC eligible; no Georgia state solar tax credit; Georgia Power IRP solar procurement program

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

1 project (~25 MW) approved 2022; Jackson area

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

None confirmed

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Butts County, GA — Solar Development Risk Assessment