CAIRO — The sun has still yet to rise for solar panel farms in Grady County.  

The Grady County Board of Commissioners conducted a workshop on Tuesday to discuss the prospect of solar panel farms in the county. 

The workshop resulted from the commission enacting a 60-day solar panel farm moratorium back in February. 

County Administrator Carlos Tobar and Commissioner T.D. David toured solar panel fields with Ricky McCaskill, executive director for Bainbridge/Decatur County Development Authority, including an 800-acre solar panel farm. 

“I don’t think you’re going to see an 800-acre farm,” McCaskill said, noting smaller scale farms would probably be more prominent in Grady County. 

McCaskill added the land terrain in Grady County is not equipped to handle a large-scale solar panel farm. 

McCaskill noted a benefit to solar energy. 

“The benefit that you’re going to get from having solar panels in Grady County is the tax breaks,” he said.  

McCaskill added the solar panels in Decatur County make the county look progressive. 

Commissioner Keith Moye questioned if a tax break could go in a potential solar panel contract with Grady County. 

Vice Chairman Ray Prince noted potential legislation that could do away with tax breaks. 

“Once the legislature changes, it changes,” he said. 

Neil Fleckenstein, Tall Timbers planning coordinator, said solar panel proliferation could alter the land. 

Grady County does not have a zoning ordinance regarding solar panels. 

The board did not take any action regarding solar panels at the workshop. The consensus of the board is to conduct another workshop. 

The commissioners did not set a date for the second workshop. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.