A Minnesota-based company is looking to establish a solar panel location in Grand Junction.

Representatives with National Grid Renewables gave a presentation to the Greene County Board of Supervisors during their regular meeting this past Monday. The proposed project will be located 0.5 miles south of Grand Junction and west of Iowa Highway 144, in Junction Township. The company is aiming to generate 100-megawatts of energy from solar panels that will use between 800 and 900 acres of land. The landowners in the area, including Supervisor Pete Bardole, have either agreed to have the land be purchased by National Grid Renewables or leased to them. A second project in similar size and scope is being targeted in Greenbrier Township, south of Jefferson. 

Permitting Specialist William Risse said the solar power that is generated from the panels will be connected to an existing transmission line from the nearby wind turbines with the Rippey Wind Farm, which they will also utilize the nearby substation as well. The project will create 130 temporary jobs and once it is operational, there will be 3-4 full time employees. Additionally, the project will create $125,000 of tax revenue and the company will also donate about $20,000 per year to the county for its charitable giving. 

Risse said depending on the permitting process, construction could start as early as late June. He pointed out, they still need to secure a permit through the Iowa Utility Board and a conditional use permit through Greene County. 

The Board didn’t take any action following the presentation, but were interested in learning more about the project. If the project continues to move forward, the solar panels could be operational by December of 2023.