39.8

Risk Grade

Good

Very rural SC midlands with minimal regulatory burden; flat terrain ideal for utility-scale; low saturation means viable siting options remain; limited public data explains uncertainty; Dominion Energy SC territory with active SC solar procurement

Assessment Snapshot

Population

14066

State Rank

Compliance

24%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

50 ft from property lines (general zoning); no solar-specific setback rule

Zoning Mechanism

CUP via County Council; Bamberg County Planning limited; straightforward rural process

Acreage Caps

None established

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

None formal

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Supportive

Basis for Assessment

Very rural midlands SC county; declining population increases solar receptivity as tax base tool; minimal organized opposition; flat Coastal Plain terrain; county council has no history of solar opposition

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

County Council Chair Carlton Washington | D | Term 2022–2026; Council Member Henry Livingston | D | Term 2024–2028

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

SERC-SE; Dominion Energy South Carolina

Utilities

Dominion Energy South Carolina, Edisto Electric Cooperative

State Permitting Process

County zoning authority; no state solar preemption; special exception or conditional use permit typically required for utility-scale (>1 MW); decommissioning bond increasingly required

State Incentives

Federal ITC eligible; SC state income tax credit for solar (25% up to $35,000 for commercial); SC Energy Freedom Act net metering provisions

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Bamberg Solar (~20 MW, 2022, Dominion Energy SC territory)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

None on record

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Bamberg County County, SC — Solar Development Risk Assessment