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US Solar outlines 7-megawatt, 43-acre project northwest of Lennox; county review required
Summary
US Solar presented plans for a 7-megawatt, 43‑acre solar facility on land owned by the Stormwell Trust northwest of Lennox. The company said the project would interconnect to the Lennox substation, require roughly $1.4 million in distribution upgrades paid by the developer, and would be subject to Lincoln County zoning and permitting.
US Solar project developer Luke, speaking at the Lenox City Council meeting, described a proposed 7‑megawatt solar facility on a 43‑acre parcel northwest of the city that would interconnect to the Lennox substation about 1.7 miles away. Luke said the facility would use single‑axis tracking panels, be surrounded by 6–7 foot page‑wire fencing, and include pollinator‑friendly plantings inside the fence.
Luke said the company has discussed visual screening and stormwater questions with immediate neighbors and the township. "We would absolutely be willing to maintain that eastern ditch," Luke said, describing a plan to repair an undersized culvert and add a southside basin to reduce runoff toward a neighboring property. He emphasized the company intends to propose decommissioning and a surety mechanism in its county application: "Most jurisdictions require some sort of surety, cash, bond, letter of credit to be set aside," Luke said.
The developer said the project would require utility upgrades from the Lennox substation to the site, which Xcel Energy estimated at roughly $1,400,000; US Solar said it would fund those upgrades if the project proceeds. Luke estimated construction would take about 10 weeks, with about 25 temporary full‑time construction jobs, and low ongoing maintenance traffic—"1 or 2 pickup trucks to visit the site every quarter," he said. He also said there would be no battery storage proposed for this project.
Council members asked about neighbor concerns and site selection. Luke said the main outstanding issue has been stormwater management and that US Solar has held virtual and in‑person meetings with neighbors and the township; he said he believed the parties have made "significant progress" but that neighbors will be notified when a formal Lincoln County application is filed. He said US Solar expects to submit materials to Lincoln County in roughly three to six months if the project advances.
On tax and local revenue, Luke provided an estimated distribution: 50% of production tax revenue to the Lenox school district, 35% to Lincoln County and 15% to the township; he said he included a reference to the applicable codified law in his materials but did not give a formal citation at the meeting. He noted Xcel Energy had identified the Lennox substation in a request for proposals that prompted developers to pursue nearby sites.
This presentation was informational; council members did not take formal action or issue a recommendation. Council staff said the land is outside the city limits and that any permit or zoning change would be decided by Lincoln County planning authorities.
What happens next: US Solar will continue neighbor outreach, finalize its interconnection study and financial arrangements with Xcel Energy, and (if those succeed) submit a change‑of‑zone or planned development application to Lincoln County.
