Spurred by record-low equipment costs and state-sponsored incentives, solar installation companies are flocking to Illinois. One of the fast-growing solar markets involves partnering with farmers willing to lease some of their acreage to cultivate solar energy rather than crops.

 

Dozens or sometimes hundreds of solar panels are lined up in fields, angled to maximize the absorption of the sun’s rays. The energy is transmitted to the nearest power substation and mixed in with the utility’s power supply. It’s become lucrative for both landowners and the solar companies that own and maintain the equipment.

 

A Minnesota company, Innovative Power Solutions, has several projects in the works in St. Clair County. This week, Belleville issued a special use permit for a four-megawatt installation on land near Eckert’s Farm. The company also got approval from St. Clair County for solar arrays in six locations on a large farm, producing up to 12 megawatts altogether.

 

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