Solar development

A 5-megawatt commercial solar energy facility in Palmyra Township got the special use permit developers need to move forward with the project when the Lee County Board voted 17-1-1 to grant it.

The Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to make a recommendation Wednesday evening regarding a proposed 5-megawatt commercial solar facility in Palmyra Township.

The Sterling City Council agreed Monday not to object to a request for a special-use permit for a 5-megawatt solar farm just west of city limits, at Freeport and Science Ridge roads.

Lee County Board members voted 11-3-3 to issue the special use permit to Hexagon Energy LLC, a Virginia-based company doing business in Illinois as Steward Creek Solar LLC, for Phase 2 of a 1,200-megawatt commercial solar energy facility in Alto and Willow Creek townships.

A Colorado-based energy company has asked for city of DeKalb consideration to install a 5-megawatt solar farm on 38 acres at the southwest corner of Illinois Route 38 and John Huber Parkway in DeKalb, documents show.

Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals members unanimously voted to recommend the Lee County Board approve Hexagon Energy LLC’s petition to be allowed to build Phase 2 of Steward Creek, a 1,200-megawatt commercial solar energy facility.

Members of the public had a chance to weigh in on a Virginia-based company’s special use permit request to build Phase 2 of what would be one of the largest solar facilities in the country during a Feb. 28 public hearing before the Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals.

Lee County officials met with U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Illinois, on Tuesday to discuss issues impacting the area and potential support for federal resources in the community.

Hexagon Energy LLC, a Virginia-based company doing business in Illinois as Steward Creek Solar LLC, is seeking a special use permit from Lee County to build Phase 2 of a 1,200-megawatt commercial solar energy facility in Alto and Willow Creek townships.

The first of two public hearings before the Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals regarding what could be the largest solar facility in Illinois is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 20.

A company seeking to build two of 2-megawatt Solar Gardens in Shabbona Township recently got the projects approved by the DeKalb County Board, but not everyone was onboard.

The Grundy County Board took the advice of the Land Use committee on Tuesday night when it approved an extension for the Greenbacker Renewable Energy solar farm project located south of Dupont Road between Buffalo and Verona.

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen announces funding to support energy needs, lower costs.

A 5-megawatt solar farm at Locust Street/state Route 40 and Science Ridge Road would not be compatible with Sterling's future industrial plans for that area, and so the City Council is submitting a letter of objection to the project.

A company with multiple community solar projects in Illinois and five other states is asking to build a 5-megawatt solar farm in a field at Locust Street/state Route 40 and Science Ridge Road, just outside Sterling’s northern city limit.