Monee Considers Major Solar Farm Proposal with $100,000 Incentive

Village of Monee Board Meeting | September 24, 2025

Article Summary: Representatives from Earthrise Energy presented plans for “Plum Valley Solar,” a massive 2,400-acre solar facility proposed for the Monee and Crete area. As part of the proposal, the company offered a $100,000 grant to the Village of Monee to assist with animal control needs.

Plum Valley Solar Proposal Key Points:

• Scope: A 260-megawatt facility spanning approximately 2,400 acres capable of powering 40,000 homes.

• Timeline: Permitting is expected in late 2025, with construction beginning in spring 2026 and operations starting in late 2027 or early 2028.

• Community Benefit: Earthrise Energy proposed a $100,000 “Rise Grant” to the Village of Monee, specifically targeted for an animal control agency capital project.

• Location: The project footprint primarily falls within the Village of Crete and unincorporated Will County but neighbors Monee.

The Monee Village Board on Tuesday, September 24, 2025, received a detailed presentation regarding a new utility-scale solar development that would significantly alter the landscape east of the village.

Flavia Scott and Ryan Duffy of Earthrise Energy introduced “Plum Valley Solar,” a proposed 260-megawatt solar facility. The project would cover roughly 2,400 acres across leased and purchased land, primarily located in the Village of Crete and Will County jurisdiction. While the facility is outside Monee’s corporate boundaries, the developers approached the board because the project is in the immediate vicinity.

“We have a unique approach to utility-scale solar development,” Scott told the board. She explained that Earthrise Energy owns and operates five natural gas plants in Illinois, including facilities in Crete and Manhattan. The new solar array would interconnect directly to the existing grid infrastructure at the Crete natural gas plant, bypassing the typically lengthy interconnection queue that delays many solar projects.

A significant portion of the presentation focused on environmental stewardship. Scott outlined a “100% avoidance mitigation strategy,” stating the company would place setbacks around wetlands and threatened species habitats rather than building through them.

To address community concerns regarding aesthetics, the company plans to install evergreen buffers along high-traffic roads and a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees near higher-density residential areas.

“We want to be a good neighbor and we want to be a good long-term neighbor,” Duffy said.

The developers also presented a financial incentive for the village. Acknowledging Monee’s need for animal control services, Earthrise proposed a one-time $100,000 “Rise Grant” to the village to support a capital project for an animal control agency.

Trustees questioned the team on drain tile management and equipment sourcing. Duffy assured the board that they are mapping drain tiles to minimize damage and have allocated funds for repairs. Regarding equipment, Duffy noted the company is prioritizing domestic manufacturers.

“Someone wants to start a solar panel company in Illinois tomorrow, we’d love to work with you,” Duffy said.

Earthrise Energy plans to submit permit applications in mid-to-late October and will host an open house for residents on October 9.