A proposed 250-megawatt solar energy project in Muhlenberg County has cleared a major hurdle. On Monday, the Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission Siting granted conditional approval for Lost City Renewables LLC to build a 400,000-panel solar facility.
The project will occupy 1,413 acres in eastern Muhlenberg County and connect to a Tennessee Valley Authority substation. Company officials say the site could power up to 10,000 homes, generate at least 500 construction jobs, and bring a significant boost to local tax revenue.
Lost City Renewables, a Delaware-based company, received a construction certificate that includes several required mitigation measures. The board also approved part of the company’s request for a deviation from the state’s standard 1,000-foot setback requirement between solar equipment and nearby homes.
As part of the approval process, Lost City must submit a detailed site assessment. That report must examine the project’s visual impact, property values, noise levels, land use changes, and effects on traffic — along with proposed solutions to reduce any adverse effects.
The project has drawn both support and criticism from local stakeholders. Residents expressed concerns at public hearings, particularly about the potential impact on property values. Former State Senator Whitney Westerfield joined residents in opposing the project last fall.
On the other hand, the Muhlenberg Economic Growth Alliance supports the solar facility. The group says it will help attract new businesses that want to operate using renewable energy and bring lasting economic benefits to the region.
