53.2

Risk Grade

Fair

C-grade reflects moderate trajectory risk from suburban opposition growth; still more favorable than Cherokee because commission remains pro-development; similar pattern to Carroll County — suburban expansion creating new friction for rural solar projects

Assessment Snapshot

Population

145712

State Rank

#54

Compliance

48%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

150 ft from property lines; 300 ft from residences; vegetative screening encouraged (recent CUP conditions)

Zoning Mechanism

CUP from Coweta County Board of Commissioners; planning commission advisory; public hearing required; community notification requirements

Acreage Caps

No formal cap; CUP discretion

Density Caps

None formally adopted

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

None formal

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Mixed; rural landowners receptive; suburban homeowners in eastern portions increasingly vocal in opposition; Newnan/Peachtree City spillover community standards

Basis for Assessment

Times-Herald (Newnan); Coweta County BOC meetings 2022-2023; Nextdoor community forums active

Political Risk Factors

Increasing; rapid suburban growth bringing mixed attitudes; organized neighborhood opposition to utility-scale solar near residential corridors increasing; commission still pro-development but monitoring constituent concerns

Board Members

Board of Commissioners | Bill McKenzie | R | Term Expires: 2026 (Chair); John Reidelbach | R | Term Expires: Unknown; Jeff Fisher | R | Term Expires: Unknown; Bob Blackburn | R | Term Expires: Unknown; Al Smith | D | Term Expires: Unknown

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

SERC / Georgia Power (Southern Company)

Utilities

Georgia Power, Carroll EMC (western 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

2 utility-scale projects (~55 MW combined) 2020-2023 in rural western/southern portions; Newnan Solar and one smaller project

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

1 project faced significant community opposition 2022; modified and re-submitted; outcome pending

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Coweta County, GA — Solar Development Risk Assessment