Lexington investigates potential of solar energy

Lexington is actively investigating solar energy, and its potential for Lexington, Mayor Linda Gorton said today.

An internal group is also evaluating how city government is using solar now, and establishing priorities for the future, the Mayor said.

"We are excited about solar's potential for our city, and want to understand best practices and next steps," said Gorton, who said the group began meeting last summer with a focus on building upon the Empower Lexington plan, the city's plan to build a sustainable, resilient future.

At the top of Gorton's list is the installation of a solar farm on the 600-plus acre Haley Pike Landfill. "We're investigating the idea, and so far it's promising," Gorton said.

Use of any landfill site is limited and requires the approval of state agencies, Gorton said. "If we find that solar will work on our landfill, it would be a great step forward for sustainable energy in Lexington without the loss of prime farmland. Cities across the country have done this, and we think it's a responsible way to lead on this issue."

Gorton said using the landfill site for solar is a much better choice than taking existing farmland out of production for a solar farm, a plan currently under consideration by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

The city is also pursuing SolSmart accreditation, a national recognition and technical assistance program for local governments that seeks to drive greater solar deployment.

SolSmart also establishes designation levels for cities, based on their solar-related policies. "As cities compete for economic development opportunities, programs like this are critical to evaluating the progress we've already made, and offer guidance on where we can go next. Sustainable energy options are important to the health of our residents, and increasingly more important to attracting businesses and growing our economy," Gorton said.

Lexington already has two solar programs already underway. For the past several years it has been installing solar panels on government facilities where possible, and designing solar into new government construction projects. Secondly, the two-year-old Solarize Lexington has helped Lexington homeowners, small businesses, non-profits, and places of worship install solar panels and reduce their electricity costs.