Henderson County Solar

  • Henderson’s Clean Energy Future

  • In July 2020, Community Energy and Henderson Municipal Power & Light (HMP&L) announced an agreement for the supply of 50 megawatts of new solar power to HMP&L customers.  Through a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement, HMP&L will purchase 100% of the output of a new solar farm under development by Community Energy in Henderson County, Kentucky.  This facility is expected to produce 117 million kilowatt-hours of low-cost solar energy per year, starting in 2023. The solar project will provide approximately 20% of HMP&L’s total electricity demand.


    Public Information Events

    Community Energy conducted two public information events designed to provide an opportunity for interested parties to learn about the project, ask questions, and provide comments: 

    In-Person Office Hours

    Community Energy hosted in-person “office hours” in Henderson, KY to provide interested parties with a one-on-one opportunity to seek more information.

     The In-Person Office Hours were held at the Ramada Inn, 2044 US-41 North, Henderson, KY 42420 on Wednesday February 3, 2021 from 7:00am – 9:00pm Central Time (CT) and on Thursday February 4, 2021 from 7:00am – 9:00pm CT. 

    Virtual Public Information Meeting

Community Energy held a live web-based presentation of the project, followed by a live question-and-answer session on Thursday February 11, 2021 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm CT.

To view a recording of the Virtual Public Information Meeting, click this link:
Recorded Virtual Public Information Meeting

If you were unable to attend either of these events, and would like to ask questions or receive additional information, please email us at hendersoncountysolar@communityenergyinc.com, or call our toll-free number at (866) 946-3123.


  • About the Project

  • The proposed ‘Henderson County Solar’ project is a 50 MW solar farm to be located along Hwy 425 (Henderson Bypass) and Lover’s Lane in Henderson County, Kentucky.   The project site includes approximately 541 acres of land.  The solar farm will sell 100% of the electricity it generates to Henderson Municipal Power & Light (HMP&L).  This facility is expected to produce 117 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year – roughly 20% of HMP&L’s demand.

    Already, environmental studies have been conducted to help design and position the solar farm in a way that avoids impacts to wetlands, wildlife, and cultural resources.  The proposed system layout will also exceed the setbacks required by Henderson County’s solar ordinance.  In addition to being a low-cost and reliable supplier of renewable power to HMP&L, Henderson County Solar seeks to be a good neighbor and a contributing member of the business community.  ‘Henderson County Solar’ is scheduled to begin operations in 2023.

    For a PowerPoint presentation of the project, click this link: Henderson County Solar PowerPoint

    For maps of the project site, click this link: Henderson County Solar Maps


  • Project Benefits

    Solar farms do more than generate clean, low-cost electricity.  They also generate economic growth.  The Henderson County Solar project will impact the local economy in multiple ways:

    • Construction Jobs for local workers: 150+ jobs during the 6-9 month construction of the project.
    • Construction Contracts for local businesses: Electrical, Site Work, Landscape, etc.
    • Local Economic Stimulus during construction: Hotels, Restaurants, Shops, Entertainment, etc.
    • Long-term Tax Revenue: The solar farm will pay substantial taxes over 20+ years, without increased pressure on community services such as roads, schools, libraries, and first responders.
    • Full-Time Operations and Maintenance Jobs: 2-3 full-time equivalent O&M jobs.

  • County Permitting Process

    Community Energy will seek a Conditional Use Permit from the Henderson City-County Planning Commission in early 2021.  Public notices announcing related meetings and public hearings will published in The Gleaner.

    The purpose of the Conditional Use permitting process will be to confirm that the proposed solar farm adheres to the Henderson County Zoning Ordinance applicable to Solar Energy Systems.

    For a copy of Henderson County’s solar ordinance, click this link: Henderson County Solar Ordinance


    State Permitting Process

    Community Energy will seek a Construction Certificate for the Henderson County Solar project from the Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission Siting (the “Siting Board”) in 2021.  Public notices announcing related meetings and public hearings will be published on this website, and in The Gleaner.

    The Siting Board will review the proposed solar farm, with a focus on three areas:

    • Environmental impacts such as visibility and noise 
    • Economic impacts
    • Impact on the electric transmission grid 

    For more information about the Siting Board process, click this link: Guide to KY Siting Board Process


  • About Community Energy 

    Community Energy has been a leading renewable energy developer for 20 years, developing many of the first and largest wind and solar projects in the United States.  This includes over 1,300 MW of solar farms similar to our proposed Henderson County Solar project.  Community Energy is headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania with offices in Boulder, Colorado, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

    For more information about Community Energy, please visit https://www.communityenergyinc.com


  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, click this link: Solar FAQs

    To submit new questions about the proposed solar farm, please send an email to hendersoncountysolar@communityenergyinc.com or mail your questions to P.O. Box 17236, Chapel Hill, NC 27516     


        Contact Information

        F
or more information about the Henderson County Solar project, please contact us:
       
       Email: HendersonCountySolar@CommunityEnergyInc.com

       Toll Free Number: 877-321-0465