Three Solar Projects, 93 Affected Families: Breaking Down Knox County's Solar Landscape

Knox County is facing three industrial-scale solar projects that will fundamentally change our community's landscape. Through careful analysis of project documents and mapping data, our coalition has documented the precise impact on Knox County families. The numbers tell a clear story about who benefits from these projects and who simply bears the burden.

Project One: Wheatland Solar (Complete)

Wheatland Solar is already complete, impacting five Knox County families. Two homes sit within just 200 feet of industrial solar panels—the minimal setback required by our 2020 ordinance. That's barely the length of two suburban backyards. Three families live within 500 feet.

The project spans approximately 1,200 acres and impacts roads including N Ghost Hollow, County Rd SE 1000 E, E Beaver Rd, Sycamore Rd, County Rd SE 1400 E, Lost Tree Rd, Apraw Rd, N McKinley Cemetery Rd, and Hall Rd.

Project Two: Ratts II Solar (Approved)

Ratts II Solar (also known as Blue Jeans Solar) has been approved and will impact 15 Knox County families. Ten homes—an entire neighborhood's worth—will sit within 200 feet of industrial solar panels. Another five families live within 500 feet.

This ~1,200-acre project affects roads including E 575 S, S Hwy 441, E 400 S, County Rd SE 850 E, Ratts Rd, S Houchin Rd, and Pond Creek Rd.

Project Three: Iona Solar (Proposed)

Iona Solar dwarfs the other two projects in scale and impact. This proposed ~3,000-acre installation would affect 73 Knox County families—nearly 80% of all the families impacted by solar in our county. The scale is staggering: 45 homes within 200 feet, 12 more within 500 feet, and 16 within 1,000 feet.

The project features 17 miles of road frontage, fundamentally altering the character of an entire section of Knox County. Those 45 families living within 200 feet will see industrial solar panels where they once saw farmland, sky, and open horizons—all without any compensation or meaningful say in the matter.

Who Benefits vs. Who Loses

The most striking disparity in Knox County's solar landscape is the imbalance between participants and affected neighbors. Our analysis shows:

Six families chose to lease their land for solar development and will receive compensation. That's their right, and we respect property owners' ability to make choices about their land.

However, 87 other families—families who made no such choice, who signed no contracts, who will receive no compensation—must live with the consequences of that decision. They face potential property value losses, altered views, concerns about safety and emergency response, and fundamental changes to their community's character.

What 200 Feet Actually Means

Knox County's 200-foot setback requirement—the minimum distance between solar panels and non-participating homes—sounds reasonable until you visualize it. Two hundred feet is:

• Less than the length of two suburban backyards
• The same setback required for a grain bin
• About the distance a fast pitch softball travels
• Roughly the distance from home plate to the outfield fence

For context, many Indiana counties require 1,000 to 2,500 feet for non-participating residences. Knox County's requirement is among the weakest in the state.

The Property Value Question

While the solar industry often claims no property value impact, real-world data tells a different story. Our coalition has documented research suggesting property value impacts of 5-40% for homes immediately adjacent to industrial solar installations, particularly in rural areas where scenic views and agricultural character are selling points.

For the 45 families living within 200 feet of the proposed Iona project, this isn't academic. For a $150,000 home—a typical value in rural Knox County—even a 5% reduction equals $7,500 in lost equity. A 20% reduction means $30,000. Multiply that across dozens of families, and the community-wide wealth loss becomes significant.

Under Knox County's current ordinance, these families receive no compensation, no property value guarantees, and no meaningful protections. Other Indiana counties have recognized this inequity and established property value guarantee zones. Knox County has not.

What Other Counties Are Doing

Many Indiana counties with solar projects have implemented stronger protections recognizing that large-scale solar developments create impacts beyond participating landowners:

• Jasper County: 1-mile property value guarantee zone around solar projects
• Madison County: 3-mile property value guarantee
• Delaware County: Added property value protections after initial experience
• Multiple counties: Setbacks of 1,000-2,500 feet from non-participating residences

These counties understand that when a land use decision by one property owner significantly impacts neighboring property owners who had no say in that decision, equity demands protections.

Moving Forward

The Knox County Coalition for Safe Solar Practices doesn't oppose renewable energy. What we oppose is a regulatory framework that allows 6 families' private financial decisions to impact 87+ other families with no compensation, no meaningful setbacks, and no accountability.

We advocate for:

• Adequate setbacks: 1,500-2,500 feet from non-participating residences, consistent with many Indiana counties
• Property value protections: Guarantee zones as implemented in Jasper, Madison, and Delaware counties
• Community consent mechanisms: Requiring project approval from affected neighbors within defined distances
• Comprehensive safety standards: Including battery storage regulations that Knox County currently lacks entirely

Contact your county commissioners and Area Planning Commission members. Share this analysis with neighbors. Sign our petition. Together, we can ensure that Knox County's solar development respects both renewable energy goals and the rights of all residents—participating and non-participating alike.