By Scout Nelson
Douglas County planning commissioners faced a decision regarding the permit application for the Kansas Sky Energy Center recently, the largest utility-scale solar installation in Kansas, following a lengthy eight-hour session filled with presentations, public comments, and discussions.
The proposed Kansas Sky Energy Center, covering 1,105 acres, would dwarf the state's current largest solar farm, the 144-acre Johnson Corners project in Stanton County, by a staggering 767%. The project aligns with Douglas County's solar regulations and demonstrates careful site selection, yet it has sparked debate over its scale and impact on land use.
Douglas County supports renewable energy projects like the 13-acre Stull Solar Farm and has established solar regulations in March 2021. These regulations outline Commercial/Utility Scale Solar Energy Conversion Systems (CSECS), covering wildlife-friendly fencing and size and grading limits. Kansas Sky, with 604 acres, falls within these parameters.
The project's site selection is strategic, leveraging existing infrastructure and adjacent industry. It's located near the Midland Junction Substation and transmission lines, reducing the need for additional power lines. The use of prime farmland for solar energy production has raised concerns, despite adherence to stringent grading limits.
The project's approval was hindered by the phased agrivoltaics plan, which combines agriculture and solar energy but is difficult to scale up, and Savion's decision to withhold discussions on payment in lieu of taxes, adding complexity to the decision-making process.
The planning commission's tie vote, a non-approval, highlighted the challenges of balancing renewable energy goals with agricultural land preservation. The final decision will be made by Douglas County's three commissioners later this spring, marking a significant milestone in the county's journey towards sustainable energy and responsible land use.
Photo Credit - istock-shansekala
Categories: Kansas, Energy