A clear sky. Low 49F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..
A clear sky. Low 49F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Updated: May 2, 2026 @ 4:02 pm
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) – Even with a one-year moratorium in Sedgwick County, an almost 1,500-acre solar project is being considered.
But despite a scheduled Metropolitan Area Planning Commission meeting lasting four hours, a decision wasn’t made — at least, not yet.
The site, if approved, would be constructed in two years southwest of Wichita.
“People willing to sell their land will make a killing on that land,” said one commenter. “It does not benefit anyone other than the applicant and landowner.”
In Wednesday’s meeting, dozens spoke to the commission. While a majority spoke against the project — citing environmental concerns, property value, etc., some spoke in support of the project and called it “progress.”
The commission deferred its decision until June 11.
“They wanted additional information to review,” explained Ethan Frazier with Mission Clean Energy — the applicant behind the project.
The project calls for 600,000 solar panels and a battery system on what is currently farmland.
Mission Clean Energy says it uses less than 0.3% of available farmland in Sedgwick County.
It says the project is designed to be “a great neighbor” with a low-profile design screened with trees and shrubs, an absence of data center partnership, and by filling a gap of need for energy in the surrounding area.
“We’re generating between $79-129 million of tax revenue,” said Frazier. “The project lifespan is over 40 years.”
As the lease application stands, Frazier says Mission Clean Energy can’t sell its power to private companies. Therefore, Mission Clean Energy and commission staff say Evergy would be expected to seek out and purchase the power provided by the solar panels.
“In Kansas, solar and wind are increasingly a farm preservation strategy… not a threat,” said another person during the public comment section.
On March 11, the Sedgwick County Commission placed its one-year moratorium on any applications for battery energy storage systems.
The area’s planning commission explains that because Mission Clean Energy’s application was submitted before that date, it will be considered.
A different company submitted its application before the deadline as well. That hearing will take place in mid-to-late May, said one planning commission member.
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