Streator solar project doesn’t get endorsement after 30 residents attend meeting

The Streator Plan Commission recommended the approval of two of three proposed community solar panel projects but did not endorse a project in the northwest part of the city after about 30 people showed up to the meeting against it.

The developer for the solar projects is TotalEnergies, a France-based company with 12 different solar projects across the country. Notably, the company has done projects at JFK Airport and Washington Metro Transit Authority, as well as a completed project in Urbana.

TotalEnergies spoke about the three community solar panel projects Tuesday in Streator.

Community solar programs offer a way for the city and residents to benefit from solar energy without needing to install panels on their own properties.

Instead, these programs involve large-scale solar installations where multiple participants can enroll and receive credits on their energy bills.

According to a presentation by TotalEnergies, each project generates enough electricity to power about 450 homes and can provide savings of 10% to 15% on energy costs compared with traditional utility providers.

The Streator 1 and Streator 2 projects are planned for a site located west of the intersection of Route 18 and East 15th Road and include two arrays.

The Spring Lake project is proposed for a site located north of Golf Road and features a single array of solar panels.

The Plan Commission recommended approval for the Streator 1 and Streator 2 projects but did not endorse the Spring Lake project based on several factors.

The Spring Lake project faced opposition from some community members concerned about its effect on property values and development opportunities.

The proposed solar panel projects will bring tax revenue to Streator. According to TotalEnergies’ presentation, the three projects will generate about $1.9 million over the next 35 years.

However, Streator resident and local neighborhood developer Richard Wilkinson expressed concerns about the use of the location.

Wilkinson said the site off Golf Road is a “prime development location” and that installing solar panels there might not provide the same financial benefits to Streator as a development project would.

As someone who has developed before, he highlighted that the potential tax revenue from future development could outweigh the benefits of the solar installation.

“We need development here,” Wilkinson said during the meeting. “We need things that are going to bring real tax dollars to this community. That land absolutely needs to be developed.”

The Streator City Council will vote on the Plan Commission’s recommendation Wednesday, Sept. 18. If approved, construction for the solar projects is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, with each project taking about 36 weeks to complete.

For more information on the projects and to follow the City Council’s decision, residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming meeting.