County officials are zeroing on possible regulations for the development of solar farms in Warren County.

Zoning Officer Michael Lyon told the county’s Planning Commission that draft regulations are “still unfinished but close to being done.”

He said the regulations would be broken into two sections — one for small solar arrays designed “for on-site use” and “providing energy consumed at that property” and the large solar farms.

Commission member Jeff Zariczny said the first section is “for people trying to get near net zero” energy consumption that might sell small amounts back to the grid.

County Planner Dan Glotz said he was under the impression that there was not enough sun for successful solar operations here but noted the advances in technology that make it possible.

Zariczny told the commission that the Biden administration is going after emissions on power plants.

“(I) think we are going to see some major changes on what we pay for energy,” he said.

Glotz said it seems like a move to eliminate coal.

“Gas will be right behind it, too,” Zariczny added.

Lyon reiterated that there are “two (solar farm) projects in a certain stage of the process for Warren County.”

He was on a call and there was discussion that Warren County is not viewed as a “target for these 400 to 500 acre farms. They’ll be smaller.” Fifty acres was discussed or the possibility of sites funneling solar power to the same point but the arrays not being contiguous.

“It could be different than the photographs we’re seeing,” he said.

“The topography is not really conducive here,” Glotz added. “Too many hills.”

Just when specifics about those two projects will be available is unclear. Lyon said municipalities are consulted toward the end of the process.