owens creek Solar
DeKalb County, Illinois
Project Overview
Owens Creek Solar, LLC is proposing the development of a 500-megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) solar facility on approximately 3,700 acres of contiguous farmland located in Mayfield and South Grove Townships, DeKalb County, Illinois. The project will connect to ComEd’s electric system via a new substation along the Byron-Wayne transmission line.
Owens Creek Solar is expected to operate for 30+ years, providing significant economic investment to the community, a substantial property tax base for the County and schools, and will generate emission-free renewable energy, helping the State of Illinois meet its clean energy goals.
Owens Creek Solar applied for zoning approval in the Summer of 2021 and may begin construction as early as the end of 2022, bringing an influx of new jobs to the community. The Project is expected to begin operating by late 2024, pending necessary review and approvals.
A visual simulation of the overall project and several observation points can be seen here
Project location
Community OutReach
As a member of DeKalb County, the Owens Creek team is committed to engaging with the community and will continue to do so through the development of the project. The public and other interested parties were invited to learn more about the Project, have their questions answers, and provide feedback during a community open-house on Monday, June 14th, as well as DeKalb County’s Public Hearing.
the Special use permit (sup) process
As part of the development process for the Project, Owens Creek submitted a Special Use Permit (SUP) application to DeKalb County. An SUP is required prior to a company constructing and operating a solar project in DeKalb County.
The County’s zoning procedures requires that any “Solar Farm,” defined as a commercial solar facility of greater than 20-acres, apply for and receive a Special Use Permit prior to construction and operation. Owens Creek submitted an application to the County that identified the proposed Project area and proposed use, as well as compliance with the County’s Solar Energy Systems ordinance. Owens Creek submitted its SUP application to the County’s Zoning Administrator for an initial review, which will included all affected County departments. The County notified nearby residents and property owners, as well as published a notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the County not less than fifteen (15) days before such hearing. At the public hearing, the public was able to provide feedback and consideration about the proposed Project.
The Hearing Officer will now provide a recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Committee. Following the Planning and Zoning Committee review, the request will be sent to the DeKalb County Board for a final decision.
Timeline
Community Open House
Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center
Monday June 14th, from 6-8PM
231 N Annie Glidden Rd, DeKalb, IL 60115
Thank you for attending the Owens Creek Solar’s community open house on June 14, 2021. If you were unable to attend you can download the information boards below and continue to contact our team with any questions or comments.
DeKalb county PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
DEKALB COUNTY LEGISLATIVE CENTER, GATHERTORIUM
Wednesday, October 27th at 6:30PM
200 North Main Street, Sycamore, IL, 60178
Thank you to those that attended the public hearing for the Red Maple project and provided comment. The project will now be reviewed at the next Planning & Coning Committee meeting on Wednesday, October 27, 20201 at 6:30 p.m. in the DeKalb County Legislative Center, Gathertorium, 200 North Main Street, Sycamore, IL, 60178
Community Involvement
As a dedicated member of the communities we call home, we work hard to earn the trust of our neighbors.
Our involvement goes well beyond job creation, economic investment, and providing clean, renewable energy. We strive to build lasting partnerships with civic leaders and property owners. Throughout the life of every project, we pride ourselves on being transparent in our communication and highly responsive to public feedback.
And most importantly, we believe being involved means giving back. We get to know our neighbors and love supporting the local causes they are passionate about. Whether through employee volunteer opportunities or corporate-level sponsorships, we are always looking for positive ways to stay actively engaged with our communities.
Project downloads
Project Fact Sheet: Download Here
About Us
Owens Creek Solar, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC (Leeward), a leading renewable energy producer dedicated to sustainably powering the future. Leeward currently owns and operates 22 renewable energy facilities across nine states, totaling more than 2,000 MW of installed capacity. If approved, the Owens Creek Project will be our fifth renewable energy project in Illinois, in addition to our wind farms located in Lee, LaSalle and Bureau Counties.
Leeward is a portfolio company of OMERS infrastructure, a preeminent global infrastructure investment arm of OMERs, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans with over $78 billion in net assets (as of December 31, 2019).
Responsible Development
Responsible development is an ethos that runs deep at Leeward and our subsidiary companies. We develop, own, and operate renewable generation assets for the long term, and are committed to leaving a positive impact on the communities where we operate. We achieve this by prioritizing our values of community partnership, sustainability and safety.
CLICK HERE for more information about Leeward Renewable Energy, LLC.
Solar frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What will the solar facility look like?
The Owens Creek Solar facility will primarily consist of rows of solar modules mounted to steel frames that are installed on driven steel posts with central inverters spaced throughout the site. The entire perimeter of the Project site will be fenced for security and safety. Landscape screening will be implemented at various locations to enhance the visual appeal of the site.
How does photovoltaic solar technology work?
Photovoltaic (PV) modules capture energy from the sun and produce direct current (DC) electricity. The DC electricity flows to electrical inverters where it is converted to alternating current (AC) electricity. The AC electricity is then collected and transformed to the electrical grid’s voltage at the project substation, where it connects to the utility’s system and is sold to the market.
Will the solar facility produce glare or noise?
Photovoltaic modules are designed to absorb sunlight, not reflect it. The amount of sunlight the modules absorb correlates directly to the amount of electricity produced, thus modules are designed to absorb maximum amounts of sunlight and minimize reflection. In fact, typical solar module glass is constructed with anti-reflective coatings. Solar facilities produce minimal noise as they do not contain large mechanical components. We design our facilities so that any increase in noise from operation is negligible at neighboring properties.
What is the Special Use Permit approval process?
The Special Use Permit (SUP) process gives DeKalb County the authority to give particular consideration to projects that may have an impact on the surrounding area, or the County. This includes both Solar Gardens and Solar Farms, the latter of which is a commercial solar facility of greater than 20-acres. Owens Creek’s SUP application will identify the proposed Project area and proposed use, as well as compliance with the County’s Solar Energy Systems ordinance.
Prior to submitting a SUP application to DeKalb County, we solicited feedback from the local community through an open-house event. The public and other interested parties could learn more about the Project, have their questions answered, and provide feedback during this community open-house. After Owens Creek submitted an SUP application to the County, and the Zoning Administrator performed an administrative review, the County’s Hearing Officer set a date, time, and place for a hearing on the application. The County published notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the County, not less than 15 days before the date of the hearing, and also notified nearby residents and property owners.
The County then conducted a public hearing and heard testimony/received comments regarding the Project. Following the public hearing, the Hearing Officer will provide his recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Committee. Following the Planning and Zoning Committee review, the request will be sent to the DeKalb County Board for a final decision.
Information on Owens Creek’s open-house event, DeKalb County public hearing, and DeKalb County P&Z Committee is posted to the Community Involvement section of this webpage.
How long will the solar facility be operational?
The average life of a solar facility is approximately 30-40 years, but with proper maintenance, it can last much longer.
Who will maintain the property and vegetation?
Owens Creek will be responsible for maintaining the property. We work diligently with consultants and local stakeholders to ensure proper ground cover, erosion and sediment control, and stormwater management occurs on the Project site. We also implement vegetation management plans and construction best management practices to promote the establishment of native vegetation and manage overgrowth and invasive plant species. As part of the development process, DeKalb County will review our vegetation management plan, which includes noxious weed management.
How will the solar facility proactively address health and safety concerns?
Safety is our number one priority. We manage our projects with the utmost regard for safety, sustainability, and long-term growth. Extensive employee and contractor training is required to meet our safety program standards, and our entire team, starting with our executives, makes a daily commitment to a safe work environment.
Through careful engineering design and strict adherence to safety standards, solar projects pose minimal health and safety risks.
What happens at the end of the Project’s life?
At the end of the life of the Project, Owens Creek will be responsible for removing equipment and restoring the site to its original use. As part of the SUP review process, the County will review Owens Creek’s proposed decommissioning plan to ensure that ample considerations and protections will be provided.
How will the development of the solar facility affect my community?
Construction of the solar park will bring new employment opportunities, a large direct investment in the community, and local business generated from the purchase of food, fuel, accommodations, and other local supplies. During the construction period there will be a relatively short-term increase in traffic volume and noise, typical of similar projects.
Once the Project is operational, daily traffic to and from the site will be minimal. Throughout the life of the Project, it will not burden DeKalb County services and utilities. The Project will, however, contribute significant property taxes to the community and provide clean energy to the greater Illinois area.
For more detailed information about this project, please email owenscreekinfo@owenscreeksolar.com, or fill out the form below.
Contact
For more detailed information about this project, please email owenscreekinfo@owenscreeksolar.com, call (815) 900-2570, or fill out and submit the form below.
