solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Soltage Drops Battery Storage Plans, Secures Extensions for Two Crete Solar Projects

March 4, 2026/
Spread the love

Will County Board Meeting | February 19, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Board granted second extensions to special use permits for two solar energy projects in Crete Township. The developer, Soltage, has removed battery energy storage systems from the plans.

Crete Solar Extensions Key Points:

  • Projects: Crete Cottage Grove Solar 1, LLC and Crete Goodenow Solar 1, LLC.

  • Locations: Northwest corner of Munz Road/South Cottage Grove Ave; Northeast corner of E. Goodenow Road/Dutton Road.

  • Change: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) removed from both projects.

  • Vote: Both extensions passed 16-3.

The Will County Board on Thursday, February 19, 2026, approved second extensions for two commercial solar energy facilities in Crete Township, extending their special use permits through August 2026.

The projects, owned by Soltage, are located at the northwest corner of Munz Road and South Cottage Grove Avenue, and the northeast corner of East Goodenow Road and Dutton Road.

Land Use staff confirmed that while the original approvals included battery energy storage systems (BESS), the applicant has decided not to pursue battery storage at these locations.

“The applicant has decided to not move forward with the battery energy storage system for this site; the special use permit for the BESS is considered null and void,” stated Marguerite Kenny of the Land Use Department in a memo to the board.

Board Member Judy Ogalla (R-Monee) sought clarification on the ownership. “Is the current owner for this also Soltage?” she asked. Staff confirmed Soltage is the owner and noted that the original zoning cases were handled by a different applicant before being sold.

The board voted 16-3 to approve both extensions. Voting against the extensions were members Deane-Schlottman, Balich, and Berkowicz.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Pritzker: Trump to federalize Illinois National Guard

Pritzker: Trump to federalize Illinois National Guard

By Dan McCaleb | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump will federalize 300 Illinois National Guard troops, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement...

Trump says U.S. in ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels in Caribbean

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump told Congress that the U.S. is engaged in "armed conflict" with drug cartels in the Caribbean shortly after ordering four military strikes...
Policy experts unimpressed with SBA’s ‘record’ capital delivered to small businesses

Policy experts unimpressed with SBA’s ‘record’ capital delivered to small businesses

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The Small Business Administration announced it will close Fiscal Year 2025 with record-breaking capital delivered to small businesses, but policy experts are unimpressed by the...
City taxpayer burden swells, as Chicago pension debt rises

City taxpayer burden swells, as Chicago pension debt rises

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago taxpayers now face unfunded debt from its municipal, laborers, police, fire and teachers’ pensions that...
Poll: Voters like candidates supporting war on Alzheimer's

Poll: Voters like candidates supporting war on Alzheimer’s

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Republican congressional candidates are more likely to win competitive districts if they support the war on Alzheimer’s, according to a new poll in California, Arizona,...
U.S. LNG exports at new record in September on strong Louisiana shipments

U.S. LNG exports at new record in September on strong Louisiana shipments

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square U.S. LNG exports hit a record high in September at 9.4 million metric tons, up from a previous record 9.3 million metric tons in August,...
Conservatives push Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger

Conservatives push Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A coalition of conservative and free-market groups is urging federal regulators to approve the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, saying the deal...
Hamas agrees to release hostages; demands further negotiations

Hamas agrees to release hostages; demands further negotiations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After an ominous warning from President Donald Trump, Hamas has reportedly agreed to release the remaining Israeli hostages; however, they have yet to agree to...
Report: Bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment policy

Report: Bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment policy

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A new study reveals strong bipartisan support for K-12 open enrollment, yet only 16 states have strong laws enabling it. The report by Reason Foundation,...
'End the political idiocy': Republicans lambast Dems for tanking funding bill again

‘End the political idiocy’: Republicans lambast Dems for tanking funding bill again

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The ongoing government shutdown will span at least five days as U.S. senators depart for the weekend after voting down both short-term funding options for...

WATCH: U.S. military strikes another suspected drug boat, killing four

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said the U.S. military destroyed a fourth suspected drug boat on Friday carrying enough drugs to kill tens of thousands of Americans....
Des Moines Public School system hired superintendent with extensive criminal history

Des Moines Public School system hired superintendent with extensive criminal history

By Bethany Blankley reporterThe Center Square The Des Moines Public School Board hired a Guyanan national who had been living in the U.S. illegally for years and has an extensive...
Pro-life group calls FDA’s approval of generic abortion pill ‘unconscionable’

Pro-life group calls FDA’s approval of generic abortion pill ‘unconscionable’

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A pro-life organization called the FDA’s approval of the generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone “unconscionable,” stating that abortion is the leading cause of...
USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review

USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than $2 billion in federal taxpayer infrastructure funding granted by the Biden administration for Chicago Transit...
No UPCODE Act could be part of shutdown solution … and more

No UPCODE Act could be part of shutdown solution … and more

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Days into the federal government shutdown, health care funding is perhaps the key issue in talks to end the partisan stalemate. A...