Meade County Solar

  • Meade County’s Clean Energy Future

  • In May 2020, Community Energy and Big Rivers Electric Corporation announced an agreement for the supply of 100 megawatts of new solar power to Big Rivers’ energy portfolio for the benefit of their Member-Owners.  Forty megawatts (40MW) will be generated and delivered to Big Rivers’ transmission system by a new solar farm under development by Community Energy in Meade County, Kentucky.  ‘Meade County Solar’ is scheduled to be constructed and commence operations in 2022.

    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 Radcliff, KY to provide interested parties with a one-on-one opportunity to seek more information.

    The In-Person Office Hours were held at the Holiday Inn Express Radcliff-Fort Knox, 30 Bourbon St., Radcliff, KY 40160 on Thursday January 28, 2021 from 7:00am – 9:00pm Eastern Time (ET) and on Friday January 29, 2021 from 7:00am – 9:00pm ET

    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 4, 2021 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm ET.

    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 meadecountysolar@communityenergyinc.com, or call our toll-free number at (866) 946-3123.                      

  • About the Project

  • The proposed ‘Meade County Solar’ project is a 40 MW solar farm to be located in southwestern Meade County along Big Spring Road and Stith Valley Road, about 4 miles west of Flaherty, Kentucky.  The project site includes approximately 370 acres of land.  The solar farm will sell 100% of the electricity it generates to Big Rivers Electric Corporation.  This facility is expected to produce 91 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year – roughly 85% the amount of electricity consumed by all the households in Meade County.

    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 Meade County setback requirements for solar farms.  In addition to being a safe, reliable, and sustainable supplier of power to Big Rivers, Meade County Solar seeks to be a good neighbor and a contributing member of the business community.  ‘Meade County Solar’ is scheduled to be constructed and begin operations in 2022.

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

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

  • Project Benefits

    Solar farms do more than generate low-cost electricity.  They also generate economic growth.  The Meade 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 30 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

    Solar farms are a Permitted Use in Meade County, subject to design standards.  Community Energy will seek Site Plan Review and County approval for the Meade County Solar project prior to construction.

    State Permitting Process

    Community Energy will seek a Construction Certificate for the Meade 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 Messenger.

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

    • Environmental matters 
    • Economic impacts
    • Impact on the electric transmission grid

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

  • About Community Energy 

    Community Energy is a leading renewable energy developer with over 20 years of experience and developed 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 McCracken 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, please visit: Solar FAQs

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

        Contact Information

        For more information about the Meade County Solar project, please contact us:
       
       Email: meadecountysolar@communityenergyinc.com

       Toll Free Number: 877-321-0465