Become A Fayette County Member

Lexington City Council is considering zoning amendments that would allow responsible utility-scale solar development in select agricultural areas when specific community standards are met. This policy update would position Fayette County to capture the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy development while protecting our agricultural heritage and community character. The City Council meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2025.

Why this amendment matters: 

Fayette County has an opportunity to continue leading on smart growth that balances economic development with preservation of what makes our community special. Modern utility-scale solar projects prove we can have renewable energy AND protect our farmland and unique charm—we don’t have to choose between economic opportunity and agricultural preservation. With 71% community support for solar development updating our zoning gives us local control over how clean energy projects develop in our county, ensuring they meet our standards for responsible land use, community benefit, and agricultural compatibility. Here’s what to share in public comments, testimony, and other outreach:

Facts to know:

Smart utility-scale solar development will strengthen Fayette County’s  economy while advancing our clean energy goals efficiently and affordably.

• Regional solar projects demonstrate significant economic impact: Kentucky’s utility-scale solar sector has created thousands of construction and permanent jobs across Central and Eastern Kentucky, with projects generating millions in annual tax revenue for rural communities.
• Utility-scale solar offers the most cost-effective path to meeting Fayette County’s net zero emissions goal by 2050. Projects like Silicon Ranch’s proposed 70-megawatt development could power 10,000+ homes while requiring zero public investment—compared to over $200  million in public costs for equivalent rooftop solar capacity.
• Smart zoning attracts quality developers who bring substantial capital investment. Silicon Ranch’s proposal alone represents $80+ million in local economic investment, with 400+ job opportunities and $8+ million in tax revenue over the project lifecycle.
• Kentucky communities with utility-scale solar report strong economic benefits: Projects across the region have provided new revenue streams for farmers, funding for schools and public services, and workforce development opportunities in the growing clean energy sector.
• Fayette County can continue leading by establishing clear standards that welcome responsible development while other communities struggle with ad-hoc approaches to clean energy policy.

Modern utility-scale solar projects preserve agricultural use and protect our rural character through innovative approaches that keep farming active.

• Agricultural solar projects maintain farming operations on the same land, with livestock grazing and crop production continuing alongside clean energy generation, preserving our agricultural economy and rural landscape.
• Successful examples operate throughout the region: Silicon Ranch’s Turkey Creek Solar Ranch in nearby Garrard County demonstrates how sheep farming thrives among solar panels, providing farmer Daniel Bell with both traditional agricultural income and new revenue opportunities.
• Smart zoning protects the vast majority of agricultural land while allowing innovative projects on less than 2% of county farmland, ensuring our agricultural heritage remains intact while capturing clean energy benefits.
• Agricultural+Solar projects enhance soil health through regenerative land management  practices, providing environmental benefits that support long-term farming viability.
• After project lifecycles, land can return fully to agricultural use with no ongoing costs to taxpayers, as responsible owners handle all restoration at their own expense.

Updating our zoning now, gives Fayette County local control over clean energy development and positions us to continue regional leadership.

• Local control is essential: Proactive zoning amendments allow Fayette County to set high standards for any utility-scale solar development, ensuring projects meet our community values for agricultural compatibility, environmental stewardship, and economic benefit.
• Quality developers seek communities with clear standards: Solar developers, that  approach projects with a long-term mindset, prefer working in communities with established  policies that support responsible development and community partnership.
• Economic competitiveness requires modern energy policy: Counties with forward-thinking clean energy policies attract investment, jobs, and tax revenue that support schools, infrastructure, and public services for decades.
• Fayette County has the opportunity to model how rural communities can embrace clean energy development while preserving agricultural character and community charm, setting an example for sustainable growth across Kentucky.
• Acting now ensures Fayette County remains competitive with other forward-thinking communities that are already capturing the economic and environmental benefits of responsible utility-scale solar development.