A proposal from Edelen Renewables would have the solar company pay around $85 per acre each year for 357 acres of land. Supporters say it would allow industrial solar in Fayette County without encroaching on its rural lands.
Company CEO Adam Edelen characterized the project as “unprecedented” to the council during a Tuesday work session.
“This is a one-off. It's fundamentally different from any other solar project that I think you'll ever have the opportunity to assess in your capacity as a council,” Edelen said.
But councilmembers are concerned the city isn’t getting enough money from the developer, and that the proposal does not fully align with the city’s zoning suggestions. The council has postponed taking a first vote on the lease twice in the past week.
The council adopted an ordinance regulating large-scale solar in Fayette County last year. Part of that ordinance suggests solar developers pay the city $750 for each megawatt generated, which would fund a community benefits agreement to help lower energy costs for low-income households. Edelen’s current proposal includes just $250 per megawatt.
“Green energy, 100% behind its sustainability,” said District 1 Councilmember Tyler Morton. “But from the micro standpoint, there's just not much direct benefit. We don't see prices of electricity going down. We don't see the electricity going back to our grid. So my big emphasis has been, well, how can our people on the ground benefit?”
Councilmembers are generally positive about the plan, but want to make sure those concerns are settled before moving forward with the project. Edelen says the company would need to start construction by July to qualify for federal tax credits on renewable energy. Those programs are set to end the following month.
“It's just more difficult and more expensive to develop a renewable energy project on a brownfield, an industrial site or a landfill.. It's much cheaper to do it in other places,” Edelen said.
The Haley Pike lease ordinance will be on the council’s agenda again next Tuesday as negotiations continue. If approved, Edelen expects construction to begin by July and the project to be completed in late 2027.
