The Knox County Area Plan Commission meets tonight to take up solar regulations at a public hearing. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Vincennes Water Treatment Plant on River Road.

Solar will be the major topic of the evening, however, a zoning change and other business are also on the agenda.

Area Plan Commission Executive  Director Colt Michaels says there are no proposed changes at this time and that the commissioners have only asked the board to review the county’s existing solar ordinance, which was adopted in 2020.

Michaels says it’s routine to revisit land-use rules every five years.

He says there will be three main issues including:— the current 200-foot setback between homes and solar panels,— screening requirements for solar fields near residences, and— rules surrounding battery energy storage systems.

Michaels says the purpose tonight is to gather public input, however, he board may take more time to study the issues, and it’s possible no formal recommendations will be voted on.