Despite opposition from some, the development of solar farms in Illinois is a small percentage of farm ground. And – the option opens the door to ag income and energy resources.

People close to the solar farm industry say just 30,000 of Illinois’ 76-million acres of farmland will be used for solar in the next seven years (by 2025). The advantages, when it comes to energy use, are ways greater than anything comparable.

Scott Novack of Cypress Creek Renewables, the company kick-starting solar farm development in Kankakee County, says there’s projects of interest state-wide..........

Novack spoke (Thursday) at the Kankakee County Fair Ag Professional Breakfast.

The company, he said, makes clean, affordable solar power available to communities nationwide.

Kankakee County Board Chairman Andy Wheeler has said he’d be proud to work toward making Kankakee County “the solar farm capital of the Midwest.” That’s despite some opposition that’s surfaced from municipal leaders and some landowners.Novack said he feels Cypress Creek Renewables has been well-received by many .........

Novack said the solar industry is not about eating up green, crop-producing land .........

Solar farm development has generated interest in the Village of Bradley, near Armour Road east of I-57.

Land near the Village of Momence is also a target, despite opposition from some local leaders fearing the solar would work against retail or housing development.

Grundy County has two sites stirring interest. The County Board may take up the issue at its August meeting.

Solar farms and wind farms are also talked about in Ford and Livingston counties.

94.1 WGFA