Substitute Bill No. 5361 Summary

• Repeals and replaces Section 16-50i of general statutes to clarify definitions of "facilities" subject to siting review, excluding rooftop solar installations, solar canopies, and small renewable energy facilities of one megawatt or less.

• Defines "solar canopy" as an outdoor shade-providing structure hosting solar photovoltaic panels above parking areas, driving areas, pedestrian walkways, or courtyards that maintains the function of the area beneath it, including carports.

• Requires the siting council to consider testimony from chief elected officials of affected municipalities when reviewing facility certificates and mandates consideration of municipality-filed witness testimony if the municipality is a party to the proceeding.

• Grants municipalities veto power over solar photovoltaic facilities exceeding one megawatt located within five miles of existing solar facilities greater than one hundred megawatts, with chief executive officer approval or disapproval required within thirty days of application notice.

• Exempts facility expansions on existing sites or contiguous parcels from the municipal veto provision for solar photovoltaic facilities.