(2) A photovoltaic solar power generation facility may be established on land that is high-value farmland, as defined in ORS 195.300 (10)(f)(C), provided the land:

(a) Is not located within the boundaries of an irrigation district;

(b) Is not at the time of the facility’s establishment, and was not at any time during the 20 years immediately preceding the facility’s establishment, the place of use of a water right permit, certificate, decree, transfer order or ground water registration authorizing the use of water for the purpose of irrigation;

(c) Is located within the service area of an electric utility described in ORS 469A.052 (2);

(d) Does not exceed the acreage the electric utility reasonably anticipates to be necessary to achieve the applicable renewable portfolio standard described in ORS 469A.052 (3); and

(e) Does not qualify as high-value farmland under any other provision of law.

(3) When evaluating an application to establish a photovoltaic solar power generation facility under this section, a county:

(a) Shall apply the criteria and standards applicable to agricultural land adopted under a statewide land use planning goal relating to agricultural lands; and

(b) May not apply the criteria and standards applicable to high-value farmland adopted under a statewide land use planning goal relating to agricultural lands.

(4) A county is not required to adopt an exception under ORS 197.732 to a statewide land use planning goal relating to agricultural land to authorize the establishment of a photovoltaic solar power generation facility under this section.

(5) A photovoltaic solar power generation facility established under this section is a commercial utility facility under ORS 215.213 (2) or 215.283 (2) if the facility generates power for public use by sale. [2017 c.504 §2]