By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Seventeen years ago, the Barton County Planning Commission had to write a zoning policy regarding wind energy in the county. The subject has now turned to solar energy. Wednesday morning, the Barton County Board of Commissioners approved a moratorium on any solar development in the county through Dec. 31. Thursday morning, the planning commission began working to update the county's solar energy policies. Commissioner Mary Ann Stoskopf is hopeful solar policy can reflect that of wind policy.
"We have never had the wind energy conversion system regulations challenged in 17 years," she said. "That's what we want is something that's understandable and applicable, and that the people are affected are willing, at least for the most part, to compromise on it."
The commission has already looked to several other counties in Kansas with updated solar energy conversion policies. The commission determined a probable path of putting solar conversion systems into three categories: small-scale non-commercial, large-scale non-commercial, and commercial. The difference, Zoning Administrator Judy Goreham said, is a private entity like Kansas Brick and Tile putting up several solar panels to power a business, and a homeowner using panels to cut electric bills.
"You think about Barton Hills, which is extremely close to Cheyenne Bottoms," she said. "There are going to be a lot of people in the future that are going to want their own solar, and why shouldn't they be able to? It's to help with their energy costs. If you want to put it in your yard, or you want to put it on your house, go for it."
It will be up to the planning commission to set policy regarding all three categories. Part of that will be determining what size is safe for the area, both in terms of both geographic coverage and generating capabilities. Goreham plans to reach out to several solar energy and electrical experts for the next meeting scheduled for 9 a.m., June 8, at the Barton County Courthouse.