Sec. 11. Except as otherwise allowed by IC 36-7-4-1109, if a project owner installs a CSE system in a unit, the project owner shall plant, establish, and maintain for the life of the CSE system perennial vegetated ground cover on the ground around and under solar panels, and in project site buffer areas. The use of pollinator seed mixes in the planting of ground cover required by this section is encouraged. A unit or permit authority may require a project owner to prepare for a project site a vegetation plan that:

(1) is compatible with each CSE system on the project site;

(2) provides for the planting of noninvasive species and the use of native or naturalized species if the planting and use of noninvasive and native or naturalized species are:

(A) appropriate to the region;

(B) economically feasible; and

(C) agreed to by the landowner;

in order to reduce storm water runoff and erosion at the site and to provide habitat for wildlife and insects; and

(3) provides for site preparation and maintenance practices designed to control invasive species and noxious weeds (as defined in IC 15-16-7-2).

As added by P.L.90-2022, SEC.2.