SolAmerica has notified Bull Valley of its intent to give up a plan to build a solar development in the village. Village President Emily Berendt, in an email shortly before 1 p.m. Monday, reported the Atlanta-based solar farm developer had given her “unofficial notice” that it planned to withdraw its application for an 8,000-panel solar […]
After nearly two hours of struggling with the smallest details of a proposed ordinance to regulate solar developments, the Bull Valley Planning and Zoning Commission got some advice from local resident Richard Ring. “Don’t get hung up on the small stuff,” he told the six commission members present. Village President Emily Berendt also told the […]
Lost amid controversy over construction of large solar farms around Woodstock is the fact that many people have chosen not to wait for a community solar system to reduce their electricity bills. If you’re curious about how individual homes and businesses install solar energy systems to cut their power costs, this weekend is a good […]
Two things are needed to site a solar farm: a nearby market for the power generated and a willing landowner. That’s what Bull Valley residents were told by John Buffington, vice president of business development for SolAmerica. Buffington figures 400 households could be provided with cheaper electricity from the 15 acres of farmland where his […]
Developers of a proposed solar farm in Bull Valley have received a postponement of a hearing that had been scheduled for this week on plans for their 15-acre development. Village President Emily Berendt reported Saturday that the hearing set for Monday had been delayed. No new date was immediately announced. Officials of SolAmerica of […]
Technically speaking, it’s a solar array, a system of glass panels that absorb the sun’s rays and convert the light into electricity. You might call it a solar farm, reflecting the fact such a renewable energy installation often is found in a rural area. In its literature, SolAmerica, which proposes to build such a system […]
A nature area in Bull Valley is now under the stewardship of a new organization. The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, a nonprofit which preserves and restores land throughout the county, became the new owner of the Boloria Fen and Sedge Meadow Nature Preserve in October. The property – which includes fen, sedge meadow and […]
Woodstock could gain acreage and Bull Valley could gain access to city water and sewer services under the terms of a deal approved by both municipalities last month. A 20-year boundary agreement between the city of Woodstock and the village of Bull Valley would allow Woodstock to annex about 1,500 acres of land that previously […]
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
