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📸 Credit: Clarence Solar project narrative document
Geneva City Council voted Monday to approve a special use permit for a 5-megawatt solar farm at 1203 E. Fabyan Parkway, clearing the way for a 13-acre site near Kirk Road that's been vacant for over a century.
One topic of discussion during the meeting: because Geneva runs its own municipal electric utility rather than buying power through ComEd, city residents and businesses won't be eligible to subscribe to or draw power from the project.
Here's what to know:
From warehouse to solar: The site was annexed into the city in 2024 for a planned industrial building that was never built. Developer OneEnergy Development petitioned the city in 2025 to allow solar farms as a special use in industrial zones (which was approved earlier this year), then came back with this Clarence Solar project proposal.
Where the power goes: The facility is part of a community solar project through the Illinois Shines Adjustable Block Program, which means its electricity goes to ComEd subscribers elsewhere in the region — not Geneva's own utility customers. Some officials voiced frustration about this situation during the meeting.
Some hesitancy: One official voted no, saying the city shouldn't tie up the 13-acre site in a 30-year solar lease when he believes the market for industrial development is strong, and a different type of project could potentially bring more tax revenue and offer more benefits for Geneva citizens.
Construction timeline: OneEnergy expects 5 to 30 workers on site during a 4-to-6-month construction window, with an earliest possible completion around mid-2027.
According to the project narrative, the development will add an estimated $1.1 million to the local tax base over the project's 30-year term, with roughly 75% of that projected to flow to Geneva School District 304.
Read more in this project narrative and watch the meeting recording.
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