Some Westville area residents heard plans Thursday evening for a proposed new commercial solar energy project just west of the village.
Project Manager Simon Courtney of Solar Provider Group explained what is being proposed….
{AUDIO: ‘’We’re trying to build a 13 acre community solar farm that the residents of Westville and beyond would be able to subscribe to, and receive credits on their bill. And ultimately resulting in a cheaper energy bill at the end of the month.’’}
Courtney was commenting at an informational meeting the Florida-based limited liability company held at Westville’s Public Library. The solar panels would be erected in a field behind 804 West Main Street in Westville if the Vermilion County Board approves the project. Last month the County Board rejected a site application after some board members said they had just learned about it. Last night’s (Thursday’s) meeting was an effort to get the word out about what the company is proposing.
(Representatives from Solar Provider Group speak to citizens at Westville’s Public Library Thursday evening, November 2, 2023.)
Courtney outlined the size of the project….
{AUDIO: ‘’The project is two mega-watts in size, or two-thousand kilo-watts in size. To put that into perspective, it’s capable of powering approximately 450 homes on an annual basis.’’}
And Courtney added Solar Provider Group is required to pay a surety bond so funds would be available for decommissioning the panels in 35 years. He also said there would be ‘’zero health risk’’ from the project.
The company chose the Westville site because there is an Ameren sub-station nearby, plus Courtney says the U.S. Department of Energy has identified Westville as an area ripe for solar development….
{AUDIO: “It’s been designated by the federal government. My understanding is that where coal plants have been phased out in the past the government has, I guess, recognized a need of a boost of energy – shall we call it. And therefore it’s encouraged that we try to replace the lost energy from that coal plant.} (Previously there was a coal-fired power plant north of Kickapoo State Park at Newtown.)
The County Board’s Wind and Solar Committee has already recommended that the full county board approve the Westville project. If it is approved, Courtney said work at the site would likely begin early next year and be completed in about 15 weeks.
