Boone County considers solar farming

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) -- Three different companies are looking to fund solar farms in Boone County for nearly $1,000 an acre for 20 years, but many farmers are afraid of what their land could look like after that

Some Boone county board members say this would be a great way to help make money. County leaders say this is part of a push by the state through the Illinois Power Agency Act. This act is hoping to grow green energy in the state overall.

"We're trying to offset. We know it keeps getting more and more expensive to take care of our people, and so we're looking for some relief for taxpayers. We don't want to do things today that may damage us down the road, far beyond what we may ever make from it," says boone county board member, denny ellingson.

Farmers tell us they are concerned about what the solar energy will do to their property values and to the water that they take from their wells.

The board sent the issue back to their planning staff to look into it more and compare the counties guidelines to other counties who have deal with solar energy