Will County grants multiple short extensions for commercial solar projects; staff outlines ComEd interconnection steps
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Summary
The Land Use committee approved short extensions for several previously approved commercial solar facilities and discussed ComEd’s interconnection process and when on‑site electrical lines must be buried.
The Will County Land Use and Development Committee granted extensions for several authorized commercial solar projects and discussed details of utility interconnection and above‑ground vs. underground power equipment required to tie new solar arrays to the grid.
Extensions approved: Committee members approved extension requests so several special use permits for commercial solar energy facilities will remain in force while applicants complete permitting and interconnection work. Among the projects mentioned: an extension for a Turning Point Energy project in Peotone Township (ZC23036), a landfill‑site project in Channahon Township (ZC23012) that would receive a 180‑day extension to December, a landscape/solar site in Homer Township (ZC23018) extended through November 14, and a project at the northwest corner of West Munns Road and S. Cottage Grove Avenue (ZC230006) extended through February 17 of next year. Committee votes on the individual extension requests carried.
Why it matters: Special use permits for commercial solar projects in Will County typically expire if a building permit is not issued within two years. Developers asked for more time to complete site‑level engineering, environmental permitting and utility interconnection studies. The committee’s actions give applicants additional time to secure the technical and contractual work necessary for construction.
ComEd interconnection briefing: County staff summarized a briefing from ComEd on the interconnection process. Staff said ComEd identifies a five‑step interconnection pathway: an initial application, a feasibility study, a system impact study, a facility study and an interconnection agreement. County staff relayed ComEd’s guidance that developers often incur application and study fees at each stage and that the full process commonly takes around 180 days.
Undergrounding and distribution voltage: Staff reported ComEd told the county that 12‑kV distribution lines can be placed underground when practical, but that burying higher‑voltage 34‑kV lines is often economically impractical because of equipment and cost. County staff noted the county zoning ordinance favors underground connection of on‑site lines and that the county has routinely conditioned approvals to require underground on‑site wiring unless the electric provider requires above‑ground equipment. Staff further explained that if an interconnection agreement is executed before a developer secures entitlements, the developer can still renegotiate with ComEd to change the connection method, though changes may carry additional costs.
Next steps: Projects with extensions will continue permitting and the county will expect applicants to submit evidence of progress (for example, filing the application with the electric utility) before additional extensions. Staff recommended that, where feasible, the county continue to encourage undergrounding of on‑site wiring and to require clear coordination with the utility as part of the site‑permit process.
Ending: The committee agreed to the extensions and discussed the potential to clarify the county’s standard permitting condition on on‑site utility connections; staff said they would take the committee’s interest in undergrounding into account with future cases and condition language.
