Proposed solar farms outside city limits to bring more energy and lower costs to residents

QUINCY (WGEM) — Two new solar farms proposed just outside of city limits could possibly bring more power and lower energy cost for nearby residents.

During Monday night’s Quincy City Council meeting, Arena Cavern Solar, LLC proposed two commercial solar energy facilities.

The proposals

The proposals from Arena Cavern Solar, LLC include:

• a 3.0 MWac solar facility located immediately north of 928 Nieders Lane, zoned Ru1 (outside city limits, near ward 6)
• A 5.0 MWac solar facility located:
  • immediately north of 928 Nieders Lane
  • immediately north of 2734 S. 12th St.
  • at 2640 S. 12th St.
  • immediately west of 2640 S. 12th St., zoned RU1(outside city limits, near ward 6)

Potential benefits

According to Quincy Planning Director Jason Parrott, the recent increase for the request of solar energy proposals may be due to the large amount of open space in the mile and a half industrial and rural zoned areas outside of city limits.

Parrott said that due to project possibly being a community solar farm the potential of nearby residents energy bill being reduced is also not out of the question when planning meetings begin in the future.

What’s next?

After discussion, Quincy City Council voted to send both proposals to the planning commission for further review.

No timeline for the commission’s review has been announced.