Simpson County
Simpson County, Kentucky: solar permitting grade B (score 39/100, Moderate Risk). Score has been stable over the last 12 months. Primary-source ordinance and board-vote data on SitePath.
Public summary
| Grade | B · Moderate Risk · Score 39/100 |
| Population | 18,672 |
| Solar ordinance | Active solar ordinance on the books |
| Active moratorium | None on record |
| Regulatory trajectory | Stable (no material ordinance movement) |
| 12-month score movement | Stable |
| Last verified | 2026-05-02 |
Developer outlook
Simpson County presents moderate permitting risk; conditions are generally workable for utility-scale solar with standard due-diligence preparation. Kentucky's state policy environment adds headwinds — the absence of a strong RPS framework means county-level resistance faces less counterbalancing pressure. Market saturation is elevated in this area — expect competition for prime land parcels and interconnection capacity.
Local intel
On file: named opposition groups
Cities, towns & townships
Local governments in Simpson County. An incorporated city, town or village can adopt its own zoning, separate from the county’s.
- Franklin city
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, incorporated places and county subdivisions with an active government.
Nearby counties
- Logan County · ≈19 miB37—
- Warren County · ≈20 miC44—
- Sumner County, TN · ≈20 miD56—
- Allen County · ≈22 miC45—
- Robertson County, TN · ≈22 miD63—
- Butler County · ≈33 miB41—
Compare these counties side-by-side →
Simpson County ranks #8 of 120 ranked Kentucky counties (1 = lowest permitting risk). Lowest-risk in Kentucky: Jefferson County (B · 31), Woodford County (B · 36), Franklin County (B · 36). See all Kentucky county grades →
Want the full record?
Setback distances, board vote histories, source documents, and ordinance amendments are available in the full county profile. The map is free; a walkthrough shows you the underlying record.
About this score
Every U.S. county is scored 0–100 on solar permitting risk (lower is friendlier to development). The grade is a weighted composite of compliance stringency, market saturation, regulatory trajectory, and data uncertainty. Every figure traces back to a primary government document. Read the full methodology →
Related reading
SitePath Intelligence is a research platform. Data verified as of 2026-05-02. Scores update on a quarterly review cycle.