Rockford’s Curran’s Orchard says solar farm would be ‘devastating’
ROCKFORD, Ill. — Curran’s Orchard opposes a proposed 5-megawatt commercial solar farm on a neighboring property that it says could harm its operations.
Known for its family-friendly operations and award-winning apple cider, Curran’s Orchard has operated at its 6385 Kilburn Ave location for decades.
A Pivot Energy LLC company. a solar farm is proposed at 6141 Kilburn Ave. on nearly 28 acres.
“We strongly oppose such use of land adjacent to our orchard,” Curran’s Orchard posted on its Facebook page. “An 8-foot cyclone fence with thousands of solar cells next to our property would destroy the warm, welcoming rural atmosphere of our orchard that our friends and customers enjoy. It would have a devastating impact on our orchard.”
The proposed solar project could be reviewed by the Winnebago County Zoning Board of Appeals at 5:30 p.m. on May 13.
Curran’s Orchard, 6385 Kilburn Ave., is pictured Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Rockford.
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Pivot Energy, on its website, says its solar projects not only create a renewable energy source, but they are also designed to preserve agricultural uses, continuing to produce honey, crops and native plants while operating the solar panels. Pivot Energy says its projects reduce energy costs for homeowners, support agriculture and generate local taxes.
“Pivot Energy has continued to prioritize its commitment to building agrivoltaic solar projects,” Pivot says on its website. “We have integrated agrivoltaic practices on 100% of our qualified sites.”
Curran’s Orchard offers apple picking, hay rides, cider, donuts, a country store and an animal corral. The orchard is currently closed for the season, but typically opens in mid-summer and closes in late November.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached by email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford’s Curran’s Orchard opposes solar farm
