Factual Solar
Facts Not Fear
A resource for advocates, planners, politicians, & farmers
Support sensible solar.
Bans are not the answer!
UPDATE: 3-12-2025
Reno County Commissioners passed fair and balanced commercial solar regulations today, for the zoned area of Reno County KS, by a unanimous vote. They also banned commercial solar installations within the Cheney Lake watershed. While there is ZERO evidence to support a ban in the Cheney Lake watershed, there were constituents who highly desired this, and so it should be considered a reasonable compromise.
From here, Commissioners will decide whether to impose the same solar regulations on the un-zoned portion of Reno County, or whether to leave this area open to commercial solar without regulations.
To those who signed our petition, sent an email or spoke at the hearing against a ban last year, YOUR VOICE MADE A DIFFERENCE! Together, we were able to help reverse the proposed ban on commercial solar.
NOTE: There is still some anti-solar sentiment on the Reno County Commission. We will continue to monitor the situation for the foreseeable future, to make sure that reasonable and fair consideration is given to any potential solar developers.
☀️ Solar Farm Bans...
Anti-Fact:
There is ample empirical evidence to show that solar farms present an incredibly low risk to the land. Lower than agriculture. MUCH lower than fossil fuels. Properly regulated, solar farms make great neighbors, reduce CO2 emissions, and diversify our energy portfolio. Our children are going to inherit an ever warming world, with more limited natural resources, and a greater demand for electricity. For future generations to prosper, we must add significant amounts of renewable energy now, while fossil fuels are still cheap and abundant.
Anti-Farmer:
Property rights matter. Solar leases can be a lifeline to keep land in the family and support overall farming operations. Kansas farmers and landowners are proud producers; whether it be grain, livestock, or energy. They should be allowed to use their land to produce, without unwarranted governmental interference. Solar farms preserve farmland for generations to come. Land leased to solar farms can't be converted to low density suburban sprawl, which is the number one threat to agricultural lands nationwide.
Anti-Taxpayer:
County governments are aggressively looking for cost savings and implementing budget cuts. Yet, lacking any compelling evidence, they are willing to turn away millions of dollars in direct income and economic development by indiscriminately banning commercial solar. These bans, based on politics, emotions and fear, negatively impact ALL taxpayers in the county.