“Agrivoltaics” is the new word of the day.
Crete officials heard it during their August 25 meeting when the owners of Falconhead Solar Farm used it to request an amendment to their Special Use Permit for their energy field north of Old Monee Road.
Agrivoltaics is “the combined use of a single piece of land for both generating electricity with solar panels and for agricultural activities, such as growing crops, raising livestock, or creating pollinator habitats.”
It creates a dual-use system that reportedly benefits both the energy and agriculture sectors, “offering advantages, like diversified income for farmers, reduced land-use conflicts, and ecological benefits, such as water conservation and habitat creation.”
Falconhead Solar Farm officials told the village board that because of a change in the layout of their panels, mowers will not be able to maneuver, and they would like to bring in sheep for “agrivoltaics” vegetation management.
The solar field is on 67.772 acres north of Old Monee Road, east of Sangamon Street, and west of the UP / CSX RR tracks.
“The sheep issue was remanded to the Planning Commission,” Village President Mark Wiater said later. “The solar project was approved via a special use permit numerous months ago. Because this is a change to the original plan, the board felt it best to amend their special use to address sheep.
“The amendment to the special use needs to go through Planning with their recommendation coming to the village board for final approval.
“So the decision has not yet been made. Falconhead Solar indicated Natural Resource Services would be the company that would manage the grazing.
“They estimate the vegetation would need about three years before it would be mature enough to support grazing. They also estimate about 13 sheep per acre or approximately 450 sheep total. There would be two, possibly three, grazing periods per year, each lasting around seven days.
“Again the process is Planning hearings – I’m guessing in the next four weeks – with their recommendation coming before the village board in four-to-six weeks. That’s just a guess based on timing.”
No construction date has been set for the solar field, which will be located on the former Bedford Farm.