Lexington-Fayette County Council Passes Solar Zoning Amendment, a Win for Lower Bills & Climate Goals

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The Amendment Will Open No Greater Than 1% of the County to Agrivoltaic Solar Projects

LEXINGTON, Kentucky — On Thursday, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council voted to pass a zoning ordinance text amendment (ZOTA) opening up no greater than one percent of Fayette County, including agriculturally zoned land, for large-scale solar development. Notably, the amendment also requires that all approved solar projects are agrivoltaic, enabling both farming and renewable energy production on one site. The amendment was fiercely championed by local Sierra Club members and supporters.

By allowing for continued agricultural production on project sites, agrivoltaic solar projects help to preserve soil quality and local farming all while moving Lexington closer to achieving its “Race to Net Zero” by 2050. Solar development is also critical to achieving Fayette County’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cleaning up local air pollution, and keeping energy costs affordable for Kentuckians.

Large-scale solar on one percent of Fayette County land would generate as much power as over 30,000 smaller, rooftop solar installations, creating a cleaner, more affordable energy future for Lexington and Fayette County.

In response to the ZOTA passing, Sierra Club Kentucky Executive Committee Member Judy Humble issued the following statement:  

“We are thrilled that the Council has determined that agrivoltaic solar projects are a promising, worthwhile solution to Kentucky’s reliance on unaffordable, air-polluting fossil fuels. With the guardrails introduced by the Council, agrivoltaic solar is a win for Lexington and Fayette County families who are in need of more affordable energy, cleaner air, and progress toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Dual purpose agrivoltaic solar farms harness cleaner, cheaper power and boost our state’s vital agricultural production. We implore Mayor Gorton to allow this amendment to stand, so that we can ensure affordable energy, a resilient energy system, and a liveable planet for future generations.”