Rockford Could Be Getting A Solar Farm

Rockford could be getting a solar farm.

That is if the City Council approves.

The Rockford Register Star shares that the City Council will be reviewing a measure to approve the installment of a solar farm in the 11th Street - Samuelson Road area of Rockford that's "zoned for light industrial use".

The "Denver, Colorado-based Stella Solar is seeking a special use permit to operate a 1.2-megawatt solar farm" on the open 5.7 acre field of 5454 11th Street. That would generate enough power to "360 homes for a year" on average.

Here's a picture of the proposed site.

Aldermen along with the Code & Regulation Committee recommended approval of the permit on Monday, August 27th.

Now this goes before the council to vote on.

If approved Stella-Solar will install 3,402 panels on the 5.7 acres. Each panel "will be installed on trackers that rotate to keep them pointed at the sun throughout the day."

Although the area is zoned for "industrial, commercial and agricultural uses" the company will be required "to install a landscape buffer" due to homes on the east side of the property for the proposed site.

I don't know how I feel about that.

I mean it is green energy in a sense being made, but the landscape will certainly look different.

I wonder if the panels will create glare for those business and those traveling that stretch of 251/ 11th Street?

What do you think?

Is it a good idea?

Does Rockford need a solar farm?