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Lexington, Kentucky — On Thursday, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council will hear a zoning ordinance text amendment (ZOTA) that would open up no greater than one percent of Fayette County, including agriculturally zoned land, for large-scale solar development. The ZOTA would require that any such solar projects be “agrivoltaic,” enabling the dual uses of farming and renewable energy production on the same site, maintaining agricultural production and preserving soil quality.
Solar energy investments are essential for Lexington’s Race to Net Zero, the city’s plan to reduce emissions and reach net-zero by 2050. Solar development is also critical to achieving Fayette County’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and for achieving equity, affordability, and sustainability.
Currently over 90% of Kentucky’s energy comes from fossil fuels, resulting in higher energy bills, poor air quality, and exacerbated climate impacts. The least-cost energy path for Kentucky requires major investments in renewables and energy efficiency. Large-scale solar on one percent of Fayette County land would generate as much power as over 30,000 smaller, rooftop solar installations, moving Lexington and Fayette County closer to a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future.
