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In response to community concerns over noise generated by solar energy facilities, Suffolk city planners unveiled a slate of proposed ordinance changes during a City Council meeting last week, aiming to strengthen local oversight and reduce residential disturbances.

Planning and Community Development Director Kevin Wyne outlined the proposed amendments, which will be presented to the council on June 18 for a public hearing and potential adoption. The changes primarily target setbacks and noise regulations for mechanical equipment used in solar farms.

“We do know and have learned that the mechanical equipment with these uses can be noisy,” Wyne said, specifically pointing to the inverters and transformers that convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) for grid use. 

Currently, the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) does not mandate specific setbacks for this type of equipment. The proposed ordinance changes would establish tiered minimum setbacks for mechanical noise-generating equipment, such as inverters and substations, based on the solar facility’s size:

• For smaller facilities (≤5 megawatts):
  • Inverters/transformers: 400 feet from property lines

  • Substations: 600 feet from property lines

• For larger facilities (>5 megawatts):
  • Inverters/transformers: 1,000 feet from property lines

  • Substations: 1,500 feet from property lines

Additionally, all solar projects would be required to:

• Adhere to noise studies submitted during the conditional use permitting process,

• Place landscape buffers outside the perimeter fence,

• Cap energy generation to the level approved in the conditional use permit,

• Allow internal property line crossings for shared solar infrastructure,

• Install acoustic barriers where needed to mitigate impact on nearby residents.

Wyne used the White Marsh Road site as a case study, noting ongoing efforts to reduce its sound levels. “We approved a permit for an acoustical barrier on one of the inverters, and the developer hopes to have it installed this week,” he said. “If successful, they’ll do the same for additional equipment.”

“I’m just looking at setbacks going from 100 to 400, from 100 to 1000, so these aren’t just a couple of feet,” Mayor Mike Duman said. “These are substantial and I’m sure that we verified that those changes will preclude any problems like we’ve had before.”

Wyne emphasized the correlation between facility size, power output, and the amount of noise generated, explaining that more megawatts require more robust—and often noisier—equipment.

Another key provision would require solar developers to adhere strictly to the decibel limits outlined in required noise studies, which are submitted as part of the conditional use permit process. Noncompliance could result in notices of violation or even revocation of the permit.

“This gives the city the leverage we need to enforce the standards,” Wyne said.

The White Marsh Road solar facility served as a case study during the presentation. Wyne noted that staff have been working directly with residents living near the site and that a permit has been issued for an acoustic barrier aimed at reducing persistent noise complaints.

Additionally, all solar projects would be required to:

• Adhere to noise studies submitted during the conditional use permitting process,

• Place landscape buffers outside the perimeter fence,

• Cap energy generation to the level approved in the conditional use permit,

• Allow internal property line crossings for shared solar infrastructure,

• Install acoustic barriers where needed to mitigate impact on nearby residents.

Wyne said  the White Marsh Road site was used as a case study, noting ongoing efforts to reduce its sound levels. “We approved a permit for an acoustical barrier on one of the inverters, and the developer hopes to have it installed this week,” he said. “If successful, they’ll do the same for additional equipment.”

“I just wanted to say this makes my heart glad,” Councilmember Ebony Wirght said. “I feel like we have listened and are very thoughtful in making sure we implemented some of the lessons learned … I think it’s going to make a difference on how we proceed.”

Councilmember Roger Fawcett also praised Wyne’s responsiveness to constituents. “I really doappreciate the communication you’ve had with the neighbors who were actually affected. They’ve communicate that you are doing that and they appreciate it.”

The proposal was unanimously advanced by the Planning Commission on May 20. The public hearing is scheduled for the June 18 council meeting.