Douglas County Commission hears more about proposed solar farm; will vote on project in April The Lawrence Times [Video]

Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday held a work session to discuss a permit for a proposed massive solar farm north of Lawrence, the first of two meetings focused on the project.

The Kansas Sky Energy Center, a 159-megawatt solar farm, would be built, owned and operated by Evergy with designs provided by Savion LLC, a division of Royal Dutch Shell based out of Kansas City. If approved, the solar facility, set to be located north of Lawrence, will begin construction in early 2025. The solar farm would comprise 237,300 solar modules, 43 inverter stations, and solar tracking systems.

City staff members have recommended approval of the project, but Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission members voted in December to recommend denial of the project on a 4-4 tie. A valid protest petition was submitted, so a unanimous vote — 3-0 — would be needed for the commission to approve the permit. A …