SPG IL - Valley Run
Morris, Kendall County, Illinois
The SPG IL Valley Run solar project, located in the City of Morris, Kendall County, Illinois, is set to provide approximately 3.24 megawatts (MWdc) of renewable energy annually in Illinois. This project will contribute to the State’s goal of achieving 40% renewable energy by 2030.
Spanning 50 acres, more than 4,000 modules of this single-axis tracker solar array are expected to produce approximately 5,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable energy annually, meeting the growing demand for sustainable electricity in the region and strengthening the reliability of the Illinois electricity mix. This will displace up to 1,780 metric tons of CO₂ each year.
This project will be a Community Solar Garden, aiming to expand access to solar energy for Illinois residents who cannot afford or do not have the space to install solar panels on their own properties, while reducing the cost of their electricity bills.
The project will contribute to the local economy by creating construction jobs and generating long-term economic benefits through increased tax revenue, community investments and solar grazing opportunities. Construction is scheduled to begin in December 2025, with operations expected to commence by March 2026, marking a significant step toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for all people in Illinois.
Benefits
Economic Impact
The project will create local construction jobs during its building phase, supporting the regional workforce. Beyond its immediate job creation and rent payments, the project will generate substantial long-term economic value by contributing to the local tax base, helping to fund essential community services and infrastructure. By fostering economic growth and investing in renewable energy, the SPG IL Valley Run solar project demonstrates a commitment to both environmental sustainability and the financial well-being of the community, making it a valuable asset for Kendall County’s future.
Clean Energy Impact
Solar panels do not emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and they do not pollute the surrounding environment.
By producing approximately 5,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of sustainable electricity annually, it will provide a reliable source of carbon-free power to the Illinois grid. Using the EPA equivalencies calculator, this project would produce enough electricity to power 370 U.S. homes
Offsets
The project is expected to displace approximately 1,780 tCO2e (Metric tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent) annually, based on the emissions profiles of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern grids (both operate in Illinois). Using the EPA equivalencies calculator, the carbon displaced from not burning fossil fuels would be equivalent to the carbon absorbed by more than 1,785 acres of U.S. forests in a year.
Location
Morris, Kendall County, Illinois
Project Size
3.24 MWdc
Timeline to operation
Construction is expected to begin in December 2025, with operations scheduled to commence in March 2026.
The SPG IL – Valley Run Solar Project will produce approximately 5,000 MWh of clean electricity each year — enough to power more than 370 homes and offset roughly 1,780 metric tons of CO₂ annually, equivalent to the carbon captured by more than 1,785 acres of U.S. forests.
Spanning 50 acres in Kendall County, this Community Solar Garden features over 4,000 single-axis tracker panels. It delivers long-term economic value through construction jobs, increased tax revenue and solar grazing, while expanding access to affordable clean energy for Illinois residents.
Location
Located in the City of Morris in Kendall County, Illinois, the SPG IL – Valley Run Solar Project spans 50 acres and delivers 3.24 MWdc of clean energy. Designed as a Community Solar Garden, it supports Illinois’ goal of 40% renewable energy by 2030 while improving grid reliability and community access to solar power.
Economic Impact
- Creates construction-phase jobs that support the regional workforce and stimulate economic activity in Kendall County.
- Generates long-term local tax revenue to help fund community services, infrastructure and ongoing public needs.
- Supports rural productivity through land leasing and solar grazing partnerships, providing additional income opportunities for local farmers.
Goodwill Industries, VA, 0.5 MWdc
Port Newark Container Terminal, NJ, 3.29 MWdc
Clean Energy Impact
- Produces approximately 5,000 MWh of clean electricity annually — enough to power more than 370 Illinois homes with carbon-free energy.
- Offsets approximately 1,780 metric tons of CO₂ each year, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and improving the state’s emissions performance.
- Helps advance Illinois’ target of reaching 40 percent renewable energy by 2030 while strengthening grid reliability in the region.
Environmental Impact
- Avoids emissions associated with fossil fuel generation, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment for local communities.
- Incorporates agrivoltaics and solar grazing, which maintain vegetation, improve soil stability and promote regenerative land use.
- Supports biodiversity through pollinator-friendly vegetation and habitat areas that benefit local insects, birds and other wildlife.
Carver, MA, 2.8 MWdc
Project Location
Where is the SPG IL Valley Run solar project located and is it visible from public roads?
The SPG IL Valley Run solar project is in the Village of Morris, Kendall County, Illinois.
Parts of the project may be visible from public roads.
Who owns the land on which the SPG IL Valley Run solar project is built?
The SPG IL Valley Run solar project is built on private land leased by Standard Solar under a 20-year agreement (2024–2044) that covers development, operation, maintenance and eventual decommissioning. The lease also includes two optional, voluntary 10-year renewal periods.
Safety & Operations
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect. Each panel is composed of many solar cells, typically made of silicon, a material that can absorb sunlight. When sunlight hits these cells, it excites electrons, creating an electric current. This current is collected and directed through wires to power homes, businesses or the electrical grid. Solar panels are often installed in arrays to capture as much sunlight as possible, and they work best in sunny locations. By harnessing the sun’s energy, solar panels provide a clean, renewable source of electricity that does not produce harmful emissions.
What happens after the useful life of a solar project?
At Standard Solar, we are committed to sustainability throughout the entire lifecycle of our projects. The SPG IL Valley Run solar project is expected to produce electricity for 20 years. After this time, when the project reaches the end of its operational life, well-established processes are in place to ensure responsible repowering, decommissioning and recycling.
Standard Solar has programs and policies in place to safely remove equipment, restore the land to its original state, and recycle materials like glass, metal and silicon from the solar panels. Such programs enable Standard Solar to minimize waste, prevent any burdens on the community and support the circular economy, ensuring that renewable energy remains a sustainable solution for future generations.
Do community solar projects make noise?
Solar projects are designed to operate quietly, making them an ideal option for generating renewable energy without disrupting nearby communities, agriculture, or wildlife. The primary components – solar panels – make no noise during operation. Some equipment, such as inverters or transformers, may produce a low humming sound (up to 60 dB) when converting solar energy into electricity. Still, this noise is minimal and typically only noticeable when the equipment is close by (less than 10 feet). Overall, solar projects are a clean, quiet and community-friendly energy solution.
Since solar panels can only generate electricity during the daytime, the system is silent at night.
Will the project produce glare?
The design of solar projects, including this one, minimizes the potential for glare. Solar panels are specifically engineered to absorb sunlight, not reflect it, as their primary function is to convert sunlight into electricity. Modern panels are coated with anti-reflective materials to minimize further reflection. Additionally, projects undergo detailed studies and modeling during the planning phase to ensure they do not create glare that could affect nearby residents, drivers, aviation and wildlife.
Environment & Wildlife
How will the project manage erosion and stormwater during its lifetime?
This project has been designed with comprehensive measures to manage erosion effectively, control stormwater, and mitigate dust throughout its lifetime, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding environment and no disturbances to wetlands or waterways. The project has all applicable local, state and federal permits and certifications.
Before construction, the site underwent a thorough assessment, and best management practices were implemented, including silt fences, sediment basins and buffer zones, to mitigate runoff during the building phase.
Once operational, the site will be stabilized with vegetation, including tall fescue grasses, conservation shade mixes (comprising grasses), and butterfly and hummingbird garden mixes (native flowers). Regular monitoring and maintenance will ensure that erosion, stormwater and dust control remain effective throughout the project.
What is the impact on area wildlife?
Standard Solar carefully considers the impact on wildlife and biodiversity in all projects to minimize disruption to local ecosystems. Detailed environmental studies are conducted to identify sensitive habitats and species, and to mitigate potential adverse impacts.
Consultation with the USFWS
- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources found no State-listed threatened or endangered species, Illinois Nature Preserves, or registered Land and Water Reserves in the vicinity of the project location.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) identified three endangered bat species that could potentially occur at the site: the Indiana Bat, the Tricolored Bat, and the Northern long-eared bat. The project has conducted all required consultations to ensure that the activities will not have an adverse impact on the listed species.
- However, no critical habitats were found within the project area.
On-site survey
- Biologists surveyed the site and found that current plants do not provide suitable habitats for the listed species.
- No eagle nests were found, and local birds like the red-headed woodpecker and rusty blackbird do not breed in March.
- Tree clearing activities will not impact listed species, bald eagles or migratory birds.
Creating a wildlife-friendly site
- Bat boxes will be installed along the perimeter.