ROCKFORD, IL — Curran’s Orchard is objecting to a 5 megawatt commercial solar farm proposed on a nearby property that it argues could harm its operations.
Known for its family-friendly activities and award-winning apple cider, Curran’s Orchard has for decades operated at its location at 6385 Kilburn Ave.
A Pivot Energy LLC. solar farm is being proposed at 6141 Kilburn Ave. on nearly 28 acres.
“We strongly oppose such a land use next to our orchard,” Curran’s Orchard posted on its Facebook page. “An 8-foot cyclone fence with thousands of solar cells next to our property would destroy the warm, welcoming rural atmosphere of our orchard that our friends and customers have come to appreciate. It would have a devastating impact on our orchard.”
The proposed solar project could be considered by the Winnebago County Zoning Board of Appeals at 5:30 p.m. May 13.
Pivot Energy on its website says its solar projects not only create a renewable energy source, they are designed to preserve agricultural uses, continuing to produce honey, crops and native plants while operating the solar arrays. Pivot Energy says its projects lower energy costs for homeowners, support agriculture and generate local taxes.
“Pivot Energy has continued to prioritize its commitment to building agrivoltaic solar projects,” Pivot says on its website. “We have incorporated agrivoltaic practices on 100% of our qualified sites.”
Curran’s Orchard features apple picking, hayrides, cider, donuts, a country store and an animal corral. The orchard is currently closed for the season, but typically opens mid-summer and closes at the end of November.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford’s Curran’s Orchard says solar farm would be ‘devastating’
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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