Wichita County approves 10-year tax-abatement pilot for Total Energy solar project
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Summary
The Wichita County Commissioners Court voted 5-0 to authorize a 10-year tax-abatement (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes pilot) with Total Energy Renewables USA LLC for phase 1 of a proposed solar farm, requiring a minimum $830 million investment and an initial annual PILOT of $1,253,648 along with emergency-response commitments from the developer.
Wichita County Commissioners on Tuesday authorized the county judge to sign a tax-abatement agreement with Total Energy Renewables USA LLC for the first phase of a proposed solar project, voting 5-0.
The agreement covers a pilot payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) tied to a minimum capital investment of $830 million and a 10-year term. "This pilot amount is for an annual check of $1,253,648," the county judge said while explaining the proposed payment schedule and the agreement’s 10% escalation mechanism if the developer increases its investment.
Why it matters: the pilot effectively places a 100% abatement on the project’s taxable value while guaranteeing a fixed annual payment the county can plan around. County officials said the approach makes Wichita County more competitive for large renewable-energy investments and gives the county leverage to impose project-specific protections for neighbors and emergency services.
The record includes multiple community questions about fire risk, storm damage and long-term site restoration. County staff and the developer described a package of emergency-response commitments the company agreed to provide: pre-incident response planning with county and volunteer fire departments, annual training, and equipment including fire blankets, lithium-ion-rated fire extinguishers, a utility task vehicle with a skid unit and a thermal imaging camera, plus water‑tender support and improved ingress and egress for responders. The developer reiterated those commitments during the hearing.
The developer also addressed abandonment and reclamation. "There would be a decommissioning bond" the company said, explaining the bond would be held by a third party to ensure removal of above-ground equipment and return of the land to pasture if the operator stopped maintaining the site. County officials added the agreement and related landowner commitments require removal of conduit and most surface infrastructure during decommissioning.
Officials said the abatement applies only to Phase 1 (the southern section) and that any additional phases would require separate approvals. The agreement also preserves collection of the county’s road-and-bridge tax and includes a mechanism to increase the PILOT proportionally if the developer increases its capital outlay.
The public hearing included questions about insurance for hail and tornado damage, the potential for groundwater impact from broken panels, runoff control plans and the presence of a battery-storage component at the site. The developer said panels are monitored and insured, battery systems will be contained in shipping-container style enclosures, and prior glint-and-glare studies for similar projects showed no operational concern for local flight operations; the developer said it had submitted coordination letters to Shepherd Air Force Base and FAA staff.
The commissioners closed the public hearing and then moved to the authorization. Commissioner Fincannon moved to authorize the county judge to sign the agreement; Commissioner Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed 5-0.
Next steps: with the court’s authorization complete, staff said the developer expects to begin construction next year, with site certification and the PILOT schedule commencing after operations are certified. The court and company said they will continue community outreach and refine emergency-response planning as the project moves forward.
