ROCKFORD, Ill. (Rockford News First) – The Village of Cherry Valley goes green, unveiling a solar project that has been years in the making during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning.
“Anyone who receives an electric bill from ComEd can participate, so maybe you’re a homeowner, maybe you are a renter. It’s also open to business owners, non-profits, faith-based organizations so small churches, etcetera,” Vincent Moschella, the ECA Power chief development officer said. “This project will allow you to take advantage of low cost solar.”
“1,100 customers will save 10% on their electric, which equates roughly to about one month of bills just virtually being eliminated,” he added.
Almost 34 acres of solar panels will light up the homes and businesses around the village, with the project sitting just off Sandy Hollow Road.
“Oh, it’s a win-win for the Village of Cherry Valley having a community solar farm in this area. It doesn’t affect any type of residential. It’s bordered by 39/90 on the one side, the railroad on the other side,” Cherry Valley Village Administrator Jim Claeyssen said.
Although there was a bit of hesitation initially from some residents, he adds they’ve now come around.
“A number of them did come to the first Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting that we had on it but once they saw where it was at and what it was going to provide the village, everybody was on board,’ Claeyssen said.
State Rep. Maurice West, D-67, is eager to see what this will do for his constituents with its push to provide energy savings for people unable to add solar panels because they are renting or cannot afford them.
“Maybe because of the rent or they just don’t have the funds, this will help our community to do just that, so it’s no respective person, it’s not about the haves or have nots,” West said.
Illinois legislation was also highlighted at the ribboncutting as one of the project’s leaders shares it helped to get them to the finish line.
“Probably one of the best sets of legislation for community solar so it starts with what we call CRGA and what that did for us as a developer is it gave us the confidence to go into communities, come into Illinois,” Moschella said.
“Quite often you don’t see the fruits of your green vote and the work that you did in Springfield. Yes, you voted for a good bill but it’s out there working. This is showing us that it’s working,” West said.
The state representative hopes his constituents will take advantage.
“I want them to see if there’s a way for them to tap in. Homeowners, renters, small business owners, they all can tap into this community solar field. If renewable energy is where you want to go, speak with the Cherry Valley administration,” West said.
For the Village of Cherry Valley, there’s also one other perk to the project.
“Being community solar, people have the opportunity to save money on electric bills. In addition to that, ECA Solar gave the village a grant of $150,000. We will be working with Region 1 Planning Council to put a couple EV charging stations in the downtown area of Cherry Valley,” Claeyssen said.
Leaders say the solar project will create enough energy to power 700 Cherry Valley homes.
ComEd customers are able to utilize the solar project by subscribing to community solar. They will then receive credits on their electric bills.
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