KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Knox County Area Planning Commission on Tuesday night approved a solar ordinance opening the way for a solar farm to be built in Harrison Township.
Ratts 2 Solar, LLC will build a 1,200-acre solar farm, developed by energy company Arevon and Tenaska, that would provide solar energy for electricity for 35 years and be one of the largest solar farms in the Midwest.
Residents were able to ask questions and voice concerns at the meeting. Some residents questioned the solar farm’s location.
Arevon and Tenaska’s CEO Tiago Sabino, who will oversee the development of the solar farm, had previously said, “Solar fields are quiet neighbors, with no noise or emissions and with panels anticipated to sit no more than 12 feet above ground.” He also said the project would bring in 188 full-time jobs during construction and four full-time jobs during operation and would mean millions of dollars in lease payments to local landowners over the life of the project.
Also on Tuesday night, Vigo County Commissioners passed a resolution against proposed state legislation authored by representative Ed Soliday that would allow renewable energy developers to build energy plants in Vigo County without county approval.
