Lee County Zoning Board approves solar farm near Franklin Grove

DIXON – The Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals gave a favorable recommendation Tuesday for a community solar project proposed near Franklin Grove.

Summit Renewable Energy is petitioning Lee County for special use permits to build Lahman Solar 1 and Lahman Solar 1a in Bradford Township east of Franklin Grove. The project footprint for both total about 35 acres near the intersection of Interstate 88 and Reynolds Road.

[ Solar project proposed near Franklin Grove ]

The project previously was approved in 2018, when Lee County saw a boom of about 20 smaller projects looking to land state renewable energy tax credits. Although the Lee County Board approved the bulk of the community solar projects, most fell through because they didn’t receive the credits from a state solar lottery program.

The past permit for Lahman Solar expired, and the Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals had three meetings in the last month for the project hearing process.

The board spent nearly three hours Tuesday compiling findings of facts from previous testimony. No community members present spoke up about the project.

Brent Buchberger, development director for the project, testified before the board that the energy generated would be enough to power about 700 homes a year, and annual tax revenue for the county would be about $20,000.

The projects would total 4 megawatts.

Panels would sit on posts driven into the ground and be about 7 or 8 feet high, Buchberger said. Pollinator-friendly grasses would be planted, and they expect a reduction in stormwater runoff and soil erosion.

If approved, construction would begin in late summer and take about a year to complete. The company would recruit subscribers for the energy generated.

The board findings covered requirements applicants must meet in the county’s solar ordinance as well as needing to follow state and federal energy standards.

The life of the project is estimated to be around 35 years.

The Zoning Board’s recommendation will go to the County Board for a final vote.