54.8

Risk Grade

Fair

Lancaster's C grade reflects the Charlotte-suburb growth squeeze: three approved solar farms confirm viability in rural south, but moderate-high compliance (48) and worsening trajectory (47) reflect escalating suburban friction; the I-77 corridor is converting agricultural land fastest; viable window for utility-scale development narrowing as rapid growth (+3.1%) continues

Assessment Snapshot

Population

98012

State Rank

#25

Compliance

48%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

200 ft from residential structures; 100 ft from road ROW; 75 ft from property lines; decommissioning bond required

Zoning Mechanism

CUP via Lancaster County Planning Commission; County Council approval for >5 MW; decommissioning bond now standard condition

Acreage Caps

None established

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

None formal

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Mixed

Basis for Assessment

Charlotte exurb dynamic dominates: rural southern areas support solar as farmland alternative, northern areas near NC border experiencing subdivision pressure and resident opposition; council still majority-approves solar but conditions escalating; trajectory worsening as suburban conversion accelerates

Political Risk Factors

Increasing

Board Members

County Council Chair Brian Carnes | R | Term 2024–2028 Council Member Robert Bundy | R | Term 2022–2026 Council Member Larry McCullough | R | Term 2024–2028 Council Member Phillip Worley | R | Term 2022–2026

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

SERC-SE; Duke Energy Carolinas

Utilities

Duke Energy Carolinas, York Electric Cooperative (eastern rural fringe)

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

Heath Springs Solar (~40 MW, 2020, Duke Energy Carolinas PPA); Kershaw Town Solar (~30 MW, 2022); Lancaster Solar (~35 MW, 2023)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

Waxhaw-area Solar (25 MW, 2023, withdrawn after community opposition — suburban boundary conflict)

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Lancaster County County, SC — Solar Development Risk Assessment