Knox County Commissioners Move Forward on Solar Ordinance Revisions, Form Advisory Committee

KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (We Are Knox County) - Knox County Commissioners are moving forward with proposed amendments to the county’s solar energy ordinance.

The proposed amendment would establish a 300-foot setback requirement between commercial solar energy systems and any existing residence or principal structure.

In addition, the ordinance would replace current screening rules with stricter standards requiring a combination of opaque fencing and vegetative buffers to reduce glare and limit visibility of solar facilities from nearby homes and roadways.

The proposed changes are based on recommendations from the Knox County Area Plan Commission following recent public hearings.

Commissioner TJ Brink told WAKC News Now the current ordinance, which was adopted in 2020, provides a foundation, but still needs additional detail.

“I think the ordinance has got great bones, but very weak in meat and so we need to put meat to it,” Brink said.

Commissioners voted 2–1 to send the proposed solar ordinance amendments to the Area Plan Commission for review.

As commissioners continue working to revise the ordinance, they also formed a new committee — the Energy Land Use Advisory Committee — to help guide future changes.

The advisory committee will consist of 12 members, including a Knox County Council member, the Knox County attorney, the Director of Area Planning, two Area Plan Commission members, the Area Plan Commission attorney, the Chief of the Vincennes Township Fire Department, the Knox County Sheriff, the acting CEO of the Knox County Indiana Economic Development Corporation, a representative from the Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District, and a member of the public appointed by the Board of Commissioners.

The County Commissioner appointed to the committee will serve as president and will organize and preside over meetings.

The committee will continue revising the solar ordinance and begin developing potential regulations for data centers, wind energy, and battery storage, which currently are not covered under county ordinances.

The motion to approve the committee passed unanimously.

“We need to step on the gas on this and get it completed in a timely fashion. I want it done quickly, but correctly,” Brink said.

“At the end of the day, both participating and non-participating landowners need a resolution.”