Franklin Township, Butler County

"[Vacation, Abandonment, and/or De-commissioning of Solar Facilities:] 1) The solar energy production facility owner is required to notify the Township immediately upon cessation or abandonment of the operation. 2) Discontinuation/abandonment is presumed when a solar system has been disconnected from the Net metering grid for a period of six (6) continuous months or has not produced electricity for a period of six (6) months. The burden of proof in the presumption of discontinuation/abandonment shall be upon the Township. 3) The solar facilities and all related equipment must be removed within twelve (12) months of the date of discontinuation or abandonment or upon the determination of the useful life of the solar system. 4) For ground-mounted and building-mounted systems, removal includes removal of all structural and electrical parts of the ground or building-mounted system and any associated facilities or equipment and removal of all net metering equipment. 5) If the owner fails to remove or repair the vacated, abandoned, or decommissioned solar facilities within the twelve (12) month period outlined above, the Township reserves the right to enter the property, remove the system, and charge the landowner and/or facility owner and operator for all costs and expenses including reasonable attorney’s fees or to pursue other legal action to have the system removed at the owner’s expense." See "Financial assurance..." for further information.