The Sedgwick County Commission has put a 180-day moratorium on commercial solar energy collection systems in unincorporated areas of the county.
The pause does not affect homeowners or private companies who want to put solar panels on their homes, businesses or property. The limits, in effect until March 31, 2024, are placed solely on commercial solar farms that generate electricity for wholesale use.
Sedgwick County follows Butler, Harvey and Reno counties who have also placed limits on solar until issues like safety, economic development, environmental impacts and esthetics can be researched more thoroughly by the Metropolitan Area Planning Department (MAPD).
Wind farms are prohibited in the county, due to the large amount of air traffic.