The proposed Soltage Solar Farm has passed a key hurdle, gaining approval from the Will County Land Use Committee in a 5-1 vote, Manhattan Township Supervisor James ‘Jim’ Walsh reported at the March 11 board meeting.

With the project moving forward, discussions are now focusing on the farm’s visual impact. According to Walsh, who attended the county meeting, the developer, Soltage, has expressed a willingness to mitigate aesthetic concerns by running power lines underground from the property to nearby utility poles.

However, the extent of the underground lines will be limited by what utility provider ComEd will permit, leaving the final outcome subject to negotiation.

The supervisor’s report also indicated that the desire for better-looking renewable energy projects is not limited to Manhattan Township. “The County is pushing to make the aesthetics look nicer for solar farms,” the minutes stated, reflecting a broader trend in Will County to balance green energy development with community character.

The approval marks a significant step for the solar project, which has been a topic of local discussion for several months. The township’s role as a recommending body allows it to provide input on such county-level decisions, and the focus on aesthetics shows an effort to influence the final design of projects within its borders.