County commissioners approve new regulations for commercial solar projects

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Solar is the fastest-growing source of new electricity in America, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, but it has not been popular in Kansas.

The county has extended the moratorium on commercial solar energy multiple times, but it is soon ending. That solar moratorium is set to run for another month. It will end by Sept. 13, allowing for commercial solar in the county.

On Wednesday, commissioners passed regulations that will allow some solar builds.

The county has been discussing solar regulations for several years. County commissioners say this all started when they decided to ban commercial wind energy construction and pause commercial solar energy while they figured out how to regulate it.

Commissioners say the new rules give clarity to developers and land owners.

“We needed to make sure we permitted solar that it goes in the right place for the right reasons that protects everyone along the line and that we know what the rules are. If you leave it to the conditional use process, then it all becomes political,” said District 3 Sedgwick County Commissioner David Dennis.

Commissioners heard a lot of opinions on Wednesday before passing the regulations.

“I had the honor of addressing the Maize City Council last winter and I kind of chided them on not having a climate action plan. There is no renewable energy policy,” said Sedgwick County resident Kent Rowe.

Some say solar could help reduce water usage during an ongoing drought.

“Traditional thermogeneration sources use a tremendous amount of water. The amount of water that a solar facility uses during operation compared to natural gas or nuclear is almost none,” said Renewable Development Manager Mitchell Lucas.

Commercial farms cannot be larger than 1,500 acres and cannot take up six connected pieces of land. Some have reservations about bigger solar operations hindering city growth.

“We think small solar projects, even near a city, is a viable option where cities and solar can coexist. We are concerned [about] what a 500-acre project or bigger project would do to the city of Maize’s continued momentum,” said Maize Mayor Pat Stivers.

Commissioners addressing those concerns say commercial solar can’t get too close to city boundaries.

“I could not see eliminating the urban area of influence because that could stop the growth of our small cities,” said Dennis.

Wednesday’s regulations only affect commercial solar. Private citizens and businesses have always been allowed to place solar panels on their property for their use.

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