AB 525

This bill creates voluntary “pollinator friendly” and “agriculture friendly”

designations for ground-mounted photovoltaic solar energy systems (solar

installations). Under the bill, the Public Service Commission must designate a solar

installation as a pollinator friendly solar installation if various requirements are

satisfied, including that the site of the installation is managed to benefit habitat for

pollinator species and other wildlife. PSC must consult with the Department of

Natural Resources in promulgating rules that establish requirements for being

designated as a pollinator friendly solar installation. PSC must also design an

official logotype for use by owners or operators of pollinator friendly solar

installations, and the logotype may be used to represent that the installation is

pollinator friendly.

The bill also requires PSC to designate a solar installation as an agriculture

friendly solar installation if various requirements are satisfied, including that the

site of the installation is managed to promote agricultural productivity. PSC must

consult with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in

promulgating rules that establish requirements for being designated as an

agriculture friendly solar installation. PSC must also design an official logotype for

use by owners or operators of agriculture friendly solar installations, and the

logotype may be used to represent that the installation is agriculture friendly.

A solar installation that satisfies the pollinator friendly installation

requirements and the agriculture friendly installation requirements may receive

both designations. Also, under the bill, PSC and cities, villages, towns, and counties

may not require as a condition of approving a solar installation that the installation

be designated as either a pollinator friendly or agriculture friendly solar installation.