The Gloucester Planning Commission unanimously voted last Thursday night to recommend approval of two conditional use permits for proposed utility-scale solar energy facilities in the county.

Strata Solar Development, LLC, requested a CUP to construct Winterberry Solar, LLC, a 20-megawatt utility-scale solar energy facility, on Nursery Lane off Route 17, south of Gloucester Court House. The 290-acre property is zoned Suburban Countryside (SC-1) and the company is looking to develop 150 acres of it for the project.

In its presentation, Strata Solar mentioned that the new solar farm would be a “win-win” for both itself and the county because it would create revenue for Gloucester and create jobs.

The second applicant, Cow Creek Solar, LLC, also requested a CUP to establish a utility-scale solar energy facility. The company wants to build its proposed one-megawatt solar farm south of Foster Road (Route 691) off Route 14. The property is 23.3 acres and the applicant would like to...