By: Judy Pochel – The Beacon-News
The Fox Valley may be home to a new solar energy system designed to help customers of the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District.
GRNE Solar is planning to install some 7,000 solar panels over an 8-acre site at 800 W. River Road in Montgomery. Representatives from the solar company appeared before the planning commission in the village and said the area they proposed was deemed “contaminated” and sealed by the IEPA.
“This is actually a perfect place for it. It is hidden, and you can’t really see it from outside of the area,” said Eric Peterman, owner of GRNE Solar. “All the energy produced will go to Fox Metro to offset their energy needs at the facility.”
Peterman said the estimate of the savings is $160,000 annually and that amount will ultimately help their customers.
There will be one main pole that will be inserted 10 feet into the ground. An array of multiple posts will be installed to support the 7,000 panels for the solar energy.
The panels are built to withstand winds up to 100 mph and tilt east to west as the sun dictates.
The Planning Commission also approved plans for a McAllister’s Deli on Ogden Road, along Route 34 near Hill Avenue. The facility plans to have a drive-thru and two additional unnamed tenants will share the building with the deli.
Lastly, the commission approved plans for Ricky Rockets at the southwest corner of Orchard and Jericho Road. Representatives from the company appeared before the village just over two years ago when their plans were denied. Since that time, traffic patterns and other concerns with KDOT have been corrected. The facility will have a gas station, convenience store, car wash, multiple drive-thrus and outdoor cafes.
The site is farmland with a vacant residential property.
All of the company’s plans will be on the agenda for the Village Board Monday.