4 community solar projects approved for Warren County

A cluster of community solar projects are coming to Warren County.

Unlike commercial-scale solar farms, community solar gardens are no more than five megawatts. It’s a way for people to get their power from solar, even if they can’t install panels on their home or business.

This isn’t Warren County Board Chairman Mike Pearson’s first solar rodeo. From his perspective, the four projects will make nothing but winners.

“Pivot Energy and the landowners are the two big winners,” Pearson said.

Ameren customers in the county win, too. They can subscribe to community solar and get a discount on their energy bills. Pivot Energy estimates a 10-20% savings.

“But then the taxing districts, that’s an impact,” Pearson said.

The company estimates more than $1 million in property taxes over the 20 to 30-year lifespan of the project.

But there’s another winner here. Liz Reddington, VP of project development at Pivot Energy, said there won’t be lawnmowers at these sites.

“We are very excited to bring sheep grazing to our sites in Illinois,” Reddington said.

She said the ground cover under the solar panels will be pollinator-friendly and sheep-friendly.

“We will actually contract with grazers or shepherds to bring their sheep onto our sites,” Reddington said.

Pearson said there are several nearby farmers with herds that fit the bill.

“I don’t think they’ll have to leave the county to cover all of the four different gardens that they’re going to put into place, so that should work well,” Pearson said.

There’s still another winner.

“This is going to improve the soil health and fertility of the crops,” Pearson said.

He said giving the soil a rest from corn and soybeans will help restore it. Pivot Energy will jump in once the landowner leases are up.

“We’re able to just take out our equipment, decommission the site, and the site can go back to farmland,” Reddington said.

The company plans to start construction next spring. If those projects are anything like other solar in Warren County, Pearson doesn’t expect any losers.

“We’ve had very good luck with all of them,” Pearson said.

Pivot Energy plans to donate $5,000 per megawatt to area nonprofits. That’s about $84,000 for energy bill assistance, workforce development and agricultural preservation. It’s actively searching for nonprofits to partner with.