Carroll County commissioners are working to tighten regulations banning solar facilities on county farmland, as companies turn to the state for approval and make an end run around county officials.
Community solar projects are prohibited on agricultural land in Carroll County. Eight solar companies have applied to the Maryland Public Service Commission to build on Carroll farmland. The state agency certifies and approves the siting of solar and wind energy projects and has the authority to override the county’s ban.
The eight solar projects are set to be built on farmland in Hampstead, Sykesville and Westminster…