(WGTD)---Although the necessary permits must still be obtained, plans are moving forward to build a 1,400 acre solar farm in the Town of Paris.
If approved as proposed, the complex would create enough electricity to supply the needs of 50,000 homes.
A company called Invenergy started acquiring lease options from landowners well over a year ago. "We've had good reception from local landowners and we've signed up enough land to develop and construct the project," said project manager Bobby Howard.
The company recently presented an engineering plan to the D-N-R. The project would consist of thousands of moveable panels that would tilt in the direction of the sun as it moves across the sky.
One of the next stops for the company is the Public Service Commission, which will schedule a series of public hearings both in Madison and locally before either approving or rejecting the project. Howard says the company itself plans to hold open houses, and will open an office soon in Union Grove.
The solar farm would be completely fenced in, and employee five, full-time workers to run constant inspections and perform such tasks as fence repair. Contractors would also work the site, including those assigned to control vegetation.
Howard says he’s cautiously optimistic that the project will be approved. "I think the process has been fair and has gone well for the project," he said.
The company is also pushing forward a solar farm in Iowa County that’s a bit bigger than the one proposed for Paris.
-0-
