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Supervisors approve first county solar farm: 2 MW array with battery storage cleared near ethanol plant
Summary
The board approved a 2-megawatt solar array with battery storage proposed by Dairland Power on rural land near the ethanol plant; project will occupy about 14 acres and include a 1 MW / 4 MWh battery. The board passed Resolution 4-13-26-26 authorizing the project.
Chickasaw County supervisors voted April 13 to approve a proposal from Dairland Power to construct a 2-megawatt solar array and battery storage facility on a roughly 14-acre parcel near the ethanol plant.
Land-use administrator Ray presented the plan and said the project is intended to serve local load — routed toward the Lawler substation — rather than the adjacent industrial bitcoin operations. The installation will include battery storage to deliver power into evening hours when solar output declines; the company described the battery as "one megawatt, 4 megawatt hour." Ray noted the project met county ordinance setbacks and checklist requirements, subject to final construction scheduling and receipt of a required $1,000 plan submission fee.
"It's a 2 megawatt facility occupying about 14 acres," Ray said during the presentation. Board members asked about setback compliance, parcel splitting and tax assessment. Staff clarified the project will be centrally assessed by the state as utility property once active; until then, the solar parcel and remaining farmland will be locally assessed.
The board voted to approve Resolution 4-13-26-26 authorizing the project; roll call recorded unanimous assent among present supervisors.
Next steps: project proponents will finalize construction timelines, provide the payment, and proceed with parcel splits and required inspections under county ordinance.
