Developer proposes 4-MW solar field with small data center on Peace Road; concept will require annexation and rezoning

Donato Solar presented a concept plan to the DeKalb City Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 6 for a 4-megawatt ground-mounted solar array, an on-site battery system and two small data center buildings on about 30 acres along the west side of Peace Road between Greenwood Acres Drive and Challenger Drive.

The concept plan matters to nearby residents because the site is currently outside the city limits and would have to be annexed and rezoned before construction. Dan, a city staff member, told the commission the site is contiguous to the city and that the developer will need to file a petition to annex, a rezoning request (staff said the likely district would be Plan Development Industrial, or PDI) and a more detailed site plan before any construction could begin.

Nick Mahoney, representing Donato Solar, described the proposal as a behind-the-meter project that would deliver up to 4 megawatts to serve the on-site data center load and export excess energy to the ComEd system. Mahoney said the proposal includes a photovoltaic array facing south, two battery containers measuring about 200 by 60 feet, and two modular data center buildings roughly 20 feet tall and about 60 feet long by 20 feet deep. He said the company owns the land and would own and operate the solar array and batteries. "We're kind of at the very preliminary stages of the planning process," Mahoney said.

Why it matters: annexation and rezoning give the city control…