MUSCATINE, Iowa — A solar company has received permission to install solar panels on some agricultural land in Muscatine County.
Land south of Fruitland is slated to host thousands of solar panels as part of a massive solar farm spanning two counties and around 4,000 acres.
California-based Orion Renewables already has a permit to build on 3,300 acres of Louisa County’s agricultural land. Altogether, the $2.1 billion project would generate 1,100 megawatts.
“So this is a little unique,” said Eric Furnas, development director of Muscatine County.
Furnas said the two-county span is what sets is apart. There’s already an ordinance regulating utility-scale solar.
“It’s just checking those boxes with our ordinance to make sure those items were met,” Furnas said.
One of those boxes was a public hearing. A full house on Thursday, Oct. 30 was almost entirely in support of the project.
“The solar project seemed like a really good deal for us,” said Tom Langan, who owns land in both counties which would include the farm.
His daughter doesn’t want the family farm, and his soil isn’t the best for growing.
“We’re not taking good farmland out of production. we’re taking some of the least productive land and putting it to a better system.”
Despite the support, the project still has its critics. Tom Nowak, who lives on dead-end Crimson Avenue, is one of them.
“I wanted the rural life,” Nowak said. “I guess what I’m not really crazy about is looking at all these solar panels.”
Crimson Avenue would be used for constructions. Other neighbors also told News 8 they’re worried about the kids who play on the street and wish Orion would build on a separate access road.
“I’m used to a dead-end road, nothing going on there,” Nowak said.
With all the boxes checked, the Muscatine County Board of Adjustment gave the project a pass. It will take several more years to get all the approvals, but the solar farm is well on its way.
Orion is offering annual payments to homeowners in Fruitland and surrounding the project. It will also contribute at least $200,000 to the Greater Muscatine Community Foundation every year.
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