THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Thomas County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to put a moratorium on solar energy facilities.

Commissioner Ken Hickey’s moratorium motion says solar energy facilities will not be allowed “indefinitely.”

Commissioner Moses Gross asked what will happen to solar facilities now in operation in Thomas County.

“We would have to honor them,” commission Chairman Wiley Grady responded.

On the agenda for the Tuesday meeting is an application from Beltline Energy to rezone a Harts Mill Road tract — from agricultural to agricultural conditional use — for installation of a solar facility.

Hickey said that since the application has been accepted by county government, the request will go to the county planning and land use commission for consideration.

County Manager Mike Stephenson said the moratorium does not apply to people who want to install solar cells on their houses or businesses.

“They can still get a permit for that,” he said.

The moratorium applies to solar facilities that sell energy to power companies. Thomas County has about six solar energy operations.

After the meeting, Hickey said he does not think the commission is protecting residents in establishment of solar energy facilities.

“We’re not able to police the bonds that are renewable every year,” he said. “I would like to see us revisit it in the next six months or so.”

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820