LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council has voted to advance a solar power development project on the city’s decommissioned landfill in eastern Fayette County.
Adam Edelen, founder and CEO of Edelen Renewables, has plans for a solar development covering more than 300 acres of the former landfill site. The city will lease the land to Edelen Renewables at an estimated $85 per acre. In return, the company will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to the city over several decades.
Edelen said the arrangement converts a liability into a revenue source for Lexington taxpayers.
“The community benefits because we are creating new revenue for the city, so as taxpayers they are seeing a stranded asset that literally cost them money every year being converted into a revenue generator for the city,” Edelen said.
The power generated will be sold to Louisville Gas and Electric/Kentucky Utilities for local use.
“We are selling the power to Louisville Gas and Electric/Kentucky Utilities — they will use that power here locally so it will benefit local citizens,” Edelen said.
First District Councilmember Tyler Morton raised questions about direct benefits to constituents.
“I have yet to see any evidence that our constituents are directly going to benefit from the solar project,” Morton said.
Edelen said he believes solar energy will help slow the growth of electric bills over time.
“I think as we green the grid we will be able to slow the growth of these power bills and I think that’s really important over the long term,” Edelen said.
The deal between Edelen Renewables and the city includes a community benefits agreement. Under that agreement, the city could direct funds from the project toward energy assistance and rental assistance programs.
Morton said he is not opposed to the solar plan overall, saying “climate change is real and we have to take care of our environment,” but believes the current deal can be strengthened.
“We could have negotiated — we still can negotiate a stronger deal and I think that during the conversations over the last month that’s what several councilmembers emphasized,” Morton said.
The council will hold a second reading on the project March 12. Edelen Renewables hopes to begin construction in July.
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.

source