Manhattan Township Officials in Talks for Massive 5,000-Acre Solar Farm

Manhattan Township Meeting | July 2025

Article Summary: Manhattan Township officials have met with representatives from EarthRise Energy to discuss a proposal for a new 5,000-acre solar farm, a project of significant scale for the area. The development would be located along Kankakee Street, stretching from near Pauling Road north towards Bruns Road, with construction anticipated for completion in 2026.

EarthRise Energy Solar Farm Key Points:

• Manhattan Township Supervisor Jim Walsh and Highway Commissioner Jim Baltas met with representatives from EarthRise Energy.

• The proposed solar farm is estimated to cover a massive 5,000 acres within the township.

• The project would span a large area along Kankakee Street, between Pauling, Cedar, Schoolhouse, and Bruns Roads.

• Construction is tentatively scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Manhattan Township is the potential site for a massive 5,000-acre solar farm, officials revealed at the township board meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

Township Supervisor Jim Walsh reported that he and Highway Commissioner Jim Baltas recently met with Amy and Rob from EarthRise Energy to discuss the potential development. While the discussion was preliminary and no formal proposal is before the board, the project’s immense scope signals a significant potential shift in land use for the rural community.

According to Walsh’s report, the proposed project would encompass a vast area primarily centered along Kankakee Street. The development would start at the intersection of Pauling and Cedar Roads, extending one mile south and a quarter-mile north. From the intersection of Pauling and Schoolhouse Roads, the project would stretch one mile north to Bruns Road.

If the project moves forward, construction is anticipated to be completed in 2026.

The discussion comes as solar energy projects are becoming more common across Will County. The scale of the EarthRise Energy proposal, however, would make it one of the largest in the region, converting thousands of acres of what is currently agricultural land into renewable energy production.

The board took no action on the matter, as the report was for informational purposes. The meeting indicates that Manhattan Township, like many other local governments, is now on the front lines of navigating the expansion of the renewable energy industry. Further discussions and formal public hearings would be required before such a project could be approved.