Clearwater, Kansas. — The cornfields between Clearwater and Haysville have become the frontline of a high-stakes battle over the future of energy in Kansas. What began as a debate over a single solar farm has escalated into a political standoff between the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County, leaving hundreds of millions of dollars in green energy investment in limbo.
The “Green” Red Light
In August 2024, following months of heated public hearings and a regulatory moratorium, the Sedgwick County Commission enacted some of the strictest solar zoning rules in the state. The new regulations capped solar projects at 1,500 acres and, most controversially, banned large-scale solar facilities entirely within “Urban Growth Areas” (UGAs)—the zones designated for future city expansion.
The decision effectively froze two major proposals: Invenergy’s 103-megawatt “Chisholm Trail” project near Maize and Mission Clean Energy’s “Clearwater” project in the southern part of the county.
“It would wipe away a $200 million dollar-plus investment, without even the chance for the details of that project to be publicized,” said Mitch Lucas, a developer with Invenergy, shortly before the ban was finalized.
The City Strikes Back
The regulatory freeze, however, has recently begun to thaw—at least politically. On February 11, 2025, the Wichita City Council voted 7-0 to formally request that the Sedgwick County Commission reconsider the ban. The Council is pushing to allow large-scale solar projects to apply for Conditional Use Permits even within the Urban Growth Area, arguing that the blanket prohibition stifles economic development and landowner rights.
This move signals a deepening rift between city officials, who view renewable infrastructure as a component of modern growth, and county commissioners, who are responding to rural constituents concerned about preserving agricultural landscapes and “rural character”.
Deep Pockets and Long Games
Despite the regulatory headwinds, developers are digging in. Mission Clean Energy, the San Francisco-based developer behind the Clearwater proposal, recently bolstered its ability to weather the delay. In March 2025, the company secured a $55 million strategic investment from Ørsted, a global clean energy giant.
This influx of capital suggests that Mission Clean Energy is prepared to play the long game, utilizing Ørsted’s resources to maintain its position in the interconnection queue while the political process plays out.
Safety and Scenery
For residents near Clearwater and Haysville, the hesitation remains rooted in tangible concerns. Opposition groups have voiced fears regarding the visual impact of industrial-scale glass and steel on the prairie, as well as safety concerns surrounding Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
Responding to these anxieties, the County’s 2024 regulations mandated strict adherence to NFPA 855 fire safety standards and required secondary containment systems to prevent chemical runoff in the event of a battery fire.
What’s Next?
As of late 2025, the solar panels remain on paper only. While the City of Wichita’s unanimous vote puts pressure on the County Commission to revisit the Urban Growth Area ban, the 1,500-acre size cap and stiff opposition from rural neighbors ensure that any path forward for solar in Sedgwick County will be narrow and fiercely contested.
See the full report here: The Collision of Infrastructure and Identity: A Comprehensive Analysis of Utility-Scale Solar Deployment Challenges in Sedgwick County, Kansas
