Board Doubles Solar and Wind Application Fees, Rejects No-Bid Land Deal

Montgomery County Board Meeting | October 14, 2025

Article Summary: The County Board approved significant fee increases for solar and wind energy applications and rejected a land purchase option from a solar developer. The new regulations double the application review fees to match current standards.

Renewable Energy Regulations Key Points:

• Fee Hike: Application fees for both wind and solar projects were raised from $2,500/MW to $5,000/MW.

• Fee Cap: The cap for total fees was increased to $500,000.

• Land Deal Rejected: The board declined a proposal from Silicon Ranch to buy an option on 120 acres of county land without a bidding process.

The Montgomery County Board on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, voted to modernize its renewable energy ordinances by significantly increasing application fees for wind and solar developments.

Development & Personnel Committee Chair Chad Ruppert stated that the county’s current fees for reviewing wind and solar applications had fallen behind industry standards. The board voted to amend the ordinances for both wind and solar energy installations, raising the application fee from $2,500 per megawatt (MW) to $5,000 per MW. The maximum fee cap was also raised from $250,000 to $500,000.

Additionally, the board added a provision to the solar ordinance implementing a one-year expiration date on siting approvals, mirroring existing rules for wind projects.

In related business, Buildings & Grounds Committee Chair Mark Hughes reported that Silicon Ranch, a Nashville-based solar developer, had approached the committee with a proposal regarding the remaining 120 acres of the “county farm.” The developer offered $10,000 for a three-year option agreement to purchase the land for a 10-megawatt solar field.

However, Hughes reported that the State’s Attorney reviewed the proposal and advised against the option sale, noting that county-owned real estate must be put out for bid prior to being sold. Consequently, the board took no action to approve the deal.