ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. – The sun is the next renewable energy source set to power southern Illinois. 

So much so, that the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency has entered into a 20-year agreement with National Grid Renewables to purchase all electrical output from the future Bee Hollow facility.

The land totals around 1,800 acres near St. Libory and Fayetteville, with 950 acres directly involved in energy generation.

This 150-megawatt utility-scale solar facility was approved by the St. Clair County Board in August 2023. Despite objections from neighbors rallying to stop the agreement, it is set to generate enough electricity to power approximately 30,000 to 35,000 homes annually. 

The project is expected to contribute $16 million in taxes over its anticipated 25-year operational lifespan. 

Some residents sold their properties while others are leasing to the different power companies. During the approval process for the Bee Hollow solar project in St. Clair County, Illinois, concerns were raised about the environmental impact of tree removal.

In response, representatives from Bee Hollow LLC are committed to an environmental mitigation strategy: For every tree removed during construction, they agreed to plant two trees in a “tree bank.” 

But just from a quick glimpse, it may seem nearly impossible to count these dense microforests.

Neighbors who spoke with FOX 2 are concerned about property value decreasing, outdoor recreational activities being disrupted and the view itself, which sold them on their properties. 

Nancy Stein is one of many residents in the area who is disappointed. 

“I don’t want to come out of my door, the only door that I use every single day and then you have to come out and see solar panels. And another thing, when you put solar panels out here, it’s gonna get rid of the wildlife,” Stein said. 

Ground was set to break last fall, but it was rescheduled for March. As of Tuesday, trees were still being cut down.