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Nexamp wants to build a solar farm near Prairie Knolls in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n
Nenov\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
The company Nexamp, which wants to build a solar farm northeast of the Prairie Knolls neighborhood, is inviting Jacksonville residents to an informational meeting about the project.<\/p>\n
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The discussion will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Twisted Tree Music Hall, 1061 E. Morton Ave.<\/p>\n
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The project would encompass 15 or 16 acres on the east side of Blacks Lane, south of the train tracks. Jack Curry,\u00a0Nexamp’s director of business development, said company representatives will be on hand to\u00a0answer any questions people may have.<\/p>\n
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Nexamp presented this map to Jacksonville City Council in October. It outlines a mockup of a proposed solar farm.<\/p>\n
Nexamp Presentation<\/p>\n
RELATED: Company wants to bring 15 acres of solar panels to Jacksonville<\/a><\/p>\n “It’s an effort to make sure that folks don’t feel\u00a0blindsided by an application that we submit to the city and all of the sudden there’s a public hearing, and maybe folks feel like they weren’t a part of the discussion early on,” Curry said.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n If the project is approved, people who sign up for supplemental electricity from\u00a0Nexamp would see a discount on their electric bill, Curry said. The project is part of the state\u2019s community solar program, which\u00a0incentivizes companies to build projects in low-income communities.<\/p>\n RELATED: Nexamp solar project looking for subscribers ahead of construction<\/a><\/p>\n In an October presentation to aldermen,\u00a0Nexamp said the project could improve its visual aesthetics by offering vegetative screening and a pollinator mix. When the project’s lease is up in 20 to 40 years, the land could be rezoned for farm use, the company said.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The solar farm technology on the land at that point would be recycled through its partnership with We Recycle Solar, the company said.<\/p>\n The city’s recently passed ordinance regulating battery storage would not affect the project because it does not have battery storage, Curry said. The ordinance dictates how and where companies can use battery energy storage systems as a way to have more control over energy projects. It passed second reading on March 23.<\/p>\n RELATED: Jacksonville ordinance would regulate solar panel projects<\/a><\/p>\n The last major solar project built in Morgan County is the Double Black Diamond project, which supplies electricity to Chicago. The proposed project is much smaller \u2014 about 16 acres compared to more than 4,000 acres, Curry said.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n