Sustainable Springfield

A Dallas-based company hopes to build a 1,100-acre solar project between Divernon Township and Pawnee Township by 2029.

Leeward Renewable Energy held an open house Wednesday at the Divernon American Legion, where community members and representatives of the company met to talk about the solar farm’s location, construction, environmental impact and employment potential.

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🚜 How much farmland is actually being used for solar?

The Solar Energy Industries Association has completed in-depth analysis on the various types of development on farmland, and only 0.07% of prime farmland hosts solar. Golf courses and suburban sprawl (since 2014) take up 2.6 times and 5.9 times more prime farmland, respectively.

Preserving farmland is a noble goal – one often at the heart of why landowners make the decision to participate in a solar lease. After a solar project is decommissioned, the equipment is removed and the land can return to its original use, including farming, ranching, or wildlife habitat.

Learn more: seia.org/farmland