promote renewable energy technologies. The development of large‐scale solar energy
facilities in the JLUS Study Area have the potential to impact AZARNG and other military
operations in the area, particularly as it relates to helicopter flying missions.
The Pinal County 2015 Comprehensive Plan emphasizes the potential for solar energy
development in the county but does not address compatibility planning and coordination
with the military to help minimize any future impacts. The Pinal County Zoning
Ordinance includes provisions related to residential solar energy installation, but does
not include specific provisions for large scale solar energy generation facilities.
The City of Eloy’s General Plan does not provide any guidance related to solar generation
facilities. The City’s zoning ordinance does require minimum lot sizes for solar
installations. The Town of Marana’s General Plan discusses solar energy in terms of a
sustainable and renewable energy resource for the future. The Town’s zoning code
mentions solar energy as desirable alternative energy source. The Town of Florence
promotes solar energy in its General Plan as a renewable energy source that should be
expanded and recommends efforts to evaluate land use for solar generation capability.
There is no mention of solar energy in the zoning code. The General Plan for Queen
Creek does not discuss solar energy specifically, but does highlight the need to promote
renewable energy sources. The Town’s zoning code does not include provisions for solar
generation facilities.
There are some tools available to help provide assessment of potential glint and glare
impacts associated with proposed solar energy development projects. One such tool is
the Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool developed by Sandia National Laboratories. This
web‐based too can be used to evaluate potential glint and glare associated with solar
energy projects that may affect pilot visibility. This tool is used by airport operators and
developers in the region around the Pinal County JLUS Project Area and has proven
effective at reducing glint and glare impacts from proposed developments. The tool can
provide users with assessment of when and where glare will occur and evaluate
alternative configurations to help minimize or mitigate glint and glare impacts.
To ensure compatibility of future solar energy development with military operations,
Pinal County, and other jurisdictions in the JLUS Project Area should coordinate planning
and construction activities for solar generation facilities with the AZARNG.
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Compatibility Assessment