Should Lexington allow large-scale solar on rural land? Council could make a key decision this week

On Tuesday, Council will once again take up the question of whether to allow large-scale, ground-mounted solar energy systems on agriculturally-zoned land in Fayette County. It's the second time Council has weighed in on this question after previously voting against these types of projects in 2025.

Earlier this year, a Council work group proposed new requirements for large-scale solar (over 5 acres) in agricultural zones, and in May, Council advanced a zoning ordinance text amendment (ZOTA) that would allow large-scale solar as a conditional use within Agricultural-Rural (A-R) and Agricultural-Urban (A-U) zones.

As part of the Council's review process, the proposed changes were forwarded to Lexington's Planning Commission for consideration.

At a July 9th meeting, the Planning Commission sided with a recommendation from the city's Planning staff that advised removing "all references to allowing ground mounted solar energy systems within the agricultural zones."

However, Council has final say in whether the proposed zoning ordinance changes are adopted. It will review the Planning Commission's proposed text during its Work Session at 3 p.m. Tuesday, August 18th.

What would the proposed changes allow?

The draft changes to Lexington's solar regulations propose new requirements for large-scale solar in agricultural zones, including:

• Maintaining agricultural production on the site, subject to annual review from the Rural Land Management Board.
• Compliance with the city's Stormwater Manual.
• Having a land conservation and water quality plan approved by the Fayette County Conservation District.

The changes also introduce optional Community Benefits Plans for low-income energy bill relief, along with stricter clean-up requirements when solar energy systems are decommissioned.

Ground-mounted solar energy systems would also be allowed within any zone if they are entirely within "brownfields," such as contaminated land, landfills and mine sites.

Why is Council revisiting this issue?

The question of whether to allow solar projects on agricultural land has stirred a lot of debate and discussion in recent years, both among Councilmembers and Lexington residents.

Lexington has a stated goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Supporters of the changes regulating large-scale solar projects on agricultural land say they're needed to help reach that goal, and that rooftop solar alone won't cut it.

On the other hand, opponents say Lexington's net-zero goal shouldn't come at the expense of its farmland, which they often describe as important for the city's identity, a unique tourism draw and an economic boon.

Lexington is seeing more solar farm development.

In March, the Council approved a lease agreement allowing a solar energy project at the Haley Pike Landfill to move forward, a decision Council had delayed multiple times.

Separately, the Tennessee-based company Silicon Ranch is proposing a local project to blend agriculture with solar energy production.

Kentucky's Public Service Commission, which regulates the state's utility companies, has also approved a large-scale project from East Kentucky Power Cooperative that isn't subject to the Council's review. Supporters say local regulations could also help inform state regulators tasked with reviewing utility-scale solar projects here.