Plans are in the works to build a new solar farm in southern Kentucky.

The goal is to lower utility bills and prevent blackouts and bitterly cold weather.

Our Laura Rogers takes us to Simpson County.

A solar farm will soon be built in Franklin on Highway 100 near Drakes Creek, just a couple of miles from downtown.

The idea is, is to help supplement energy cost to the local utility, which is owned by the city.

By doing so, can offer a benefit to the end user customer.

Silicon Ranch, based in Nashville, purchased the former grain farm valued at more than $2 million.

They got a substantial investment not only in the farm and the equipment, but in the land.

So they're in it to win it.

Monday says that investment is part of what made the idea attractive to city leaders, as well as the fact that solar energy can help keep homes powered during times of extreme temperatures.

This could very well do away with the blackouts that we observed on Christmas Eve morning when it was so cold and temperatures were down.

This would be enough supplement to protect those Franklin Electric Plant Board customers that observed the blackouts.

Interest in solar energy is growing as the United States tries to lessen its dependance on fossil fuels and move toward renewable energy.

I think it's a good thing to be as a supplement.

I don't think it will carry the load.

The fossil fuels has always carried forward for years.

I don't think it's a substitute.

He says the project also brings a larger advantage to Simpson County.

It can become a magnet to other industry.

We get new industry in, they start talking and solar farms are mentioned.

We understand you've got solar farms coming in.

He says the city also wanted to be certain taxpayer dollars would not be at risk.

Their number one concern was, was the taxpayer going to be protected in case something happened and the company went out of business and we're stuck with 150 acres worth of solar panels.

If that did happen, Silicon Ranch would be responsible for the cost of removal.

Monday says he's been working on regulations for the conditional use permit for the past three years, and now the project is moving ahead and the approval and application process for Kentucky Edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

Thank you, Laura.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to give the project final approval when it meets on June the sixth.