HILLCREST — A representative from a Pennsylvania solar development company presented a proposed solar farm project to Hillcrest officials Wednesday evening.
The site would be located on 235 acres adjacent to the corner of Twombly and Dement Roads on the eastern portion of the village.
Dave Ross, Vice President of Sun East Development, presented the plans and discussed potential benefits to the village of Hillcrest and its residents. These include new tax revenue, estimated at $120,000 yearly in property taxes, supporting the local economy, and stable electric prices.
Ross indicated the company would seek relations with the City of Rochelle for potentially connecting into the city’s No. 2 substation, as well as discussing sales of power to the city of Rochelle.
Sun East Development has a contract with Enel Green Power, which is the owner of the project. Enel is based out of Italy and is reportedly one of the largest utilities in the world with a large presence in North America.

Enel Green Power is seeking 10 to 20 years of offtake, with a project life estimated at between 30 to 35 years.
Currently the solar company is seeking to annex the project into the village of Hillcrest and has begun the petitioning process with the current property owners. The next step would be a public hearing, which could be announced as early as next month. If the project were to proceed, Ross said construction could take around nine months, dependent on weather.

Other business
Village trustees approved an antenna lease agreement with the Rochelle Police Department subject to the terms discussed, including the reduction to 10 years with renewals every 10 years.
Trustees also approved a motion for employees to have the option of AFLAC supplemental insurance. Representative Esther Countryman presented several options for the village employees and trustees, based on needs.
Trustee Rich Elliott reported the village’s second well is back in service with testing indicating the nitrate levels are back to normal.
Estimates for the village-wide Nixle alert system are a $500 one-time fee with an annual cost of $3,500. The alert system could be used for boil orders, weather emergencies, amber alerts, or other emergencies to alert village residents.
The village will be hosting an Easter egg hunt in Powers Park on Saturday, March 24 at 2 p.m.