As Fayette County considers approving industrial-scale solar operations on farmland, more communities in the Commonwealth are considering special zoning ordinances for solar field sites aiming to protect landowners, while supporting the shift to renewable energy.
Ashley Wilmes, executive director of the Kentucky Resources Council, said her organization has developed a model planning and zoning ordinance local officials can use as a resource.
“Our model ordinance offers a menu of options in certain areas,” Wilmes explained. “To allow local officials, hopefully with the input from county residents, to select the options that best meet the needs and future land use plans of those communities.”
Solar projects in the state are increasing. In Eastern Kentucky, there are plans to turn 7,000 acres of former surface-mine land into a large-scale solar operation crossing several counties. Critics of industrial-scale solar operations on agricultural land said they disrupt local wildlife habitat, contribute to soil erosion and topsoil loss, and could pose a risk to future food production.
Wilmes pointed out land sold for subdivisions or commercial development is permanently lost, while solar energy systems may be a good interim use of land, which can be restored at the end of the solar farm's life, typically about 25 years, and provide alternative sources of income to farmers. She added large-scale solar farms are not the only path forward.
“We need solar energy systems of all sizes and types, from roof-mounted to integrated to ground-mounted systems,” Wilmes urged. “To make this shift to clean, reliable and renewable energy.”
Daniel Bell, a sheep farmer in Garrard County, said a partnership with the Nashville-based solar developer Silicon Ranch has allowed him to graze his flock of around 300 sheep on the company's solar fields and boost income by growing his herd. He explained sheep are natural grass cutters and help protect solar arrays from debris and damage from mowing.
“We provide them the benefits they need and we benefit as well,” Bell noted. “It’s just a really great mutual situation, but also a fantastic opportunity for farmers.”
Kentucky ranks 45th nationwide for total installed solar capacity, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
--30--
Written by Nadia Ramlagan. Published via KY News Connection.
Comments
