Four bylaws relating to solar installations were passed at Rochester’s Annual Town Meeting on Monday night. The bylaws give the town more control in regulating large-scale solar farms.

One change allows the Planning Board to require a six foot or higher wall or fence around a solar project, following complaints from residents about having to look at the panels.

The next bylaw passed will minimize the number of larger trees removed in the construction of solar projects.

A third zoning revision bans any large-scale solar installations in the limited commercial and historic districts in town. When asked for clarification on how exactly “large-scale” solar projects are defined, Planning Board Chair Arnie Johnson said large-scale is defined by the Commonwealth as 250 kilowatts or larger.

The final bylaw approved pertained to “landscaping, screening and drainage” and will require any company installing a solar farm to maintain the landscaped area and plants in a “healthy growing condition.” It also requires that any features used for screening purposes must be kept in good condition.

The addition to the bylaws adds the requirement of a maintenance plan and a maintenance bond. This is to provide insurance that the screening and drainage areas of the solar projects are maintained, and should the town have to take action in providing maintenance, the company will be billed accordingly.

Residents have expressed concerns many times in the past year about the influx of solar projects in town, particularly a proposed solar farm in town's historic district.