Letter to the Editor: Landowner: Solar panels help meet energy needs

I have three parcels of land in the Grand Mound area, one of which is enrolled in the Hawkeye Solar Project. I signed up to participate in the project inspired by how agriculture along with innovation and technology once again meets the needs of people. On March 24th the Board of Supervisors met to hear pros and cons of the project.

The reasons for opposition surprised me. Some worried about the acres of farmland that would be lost. But only .05% of Clinton County’s farmland would be taken from plant production and I believe the amount of energy produced by solar panels far exceeds the amount produced by corn. When the life of the solar farm is done, farming resumes. Then, it was insinuated that landowners were taking taxpayer’s money to build this project. 

Developers and county officials say this solar farm will produce abundant tax revenue for Clinton County that will benefit thousands of tax paying families over many years.

There was also concern of home values going down that are located near the solar farm area, even though developers say the solar panels would be set back at least 250 feet from them. Having 250 feet of green space around your home is like living in the middle of a park and will not lower property values. This is a generous buffer zone that comes with no more worrying about farm chemicals or further development next door. 

I think the main concern is that change doesn’t feel comfortable. However, Supervisors can not base their decisions on feelings. Multiple families have done their due diligence and exercised their rights as landowners to be a part of the Hawkeye Solar Project. The county also already has rules in place that says its intent is to “encourage utility scale photovoltaic solar installations” like this one. 

Now the Board members need to look at their own policies and do the math … add up all the economic and environmental advantages of solar and total how many of their constituents will benefit. My hope is that Clinton County will see the light and go solar.

Angie Costello-Acosta

Poplar Grove, Illinois