Danada Forest Preserve is one of the Forest Preserve District’s most unique properties, home to nearly 800 acres of prairies, woods, and wetlands. It also encompasses a half-mile, regulation horse racetrack that’s no longer in use. This project will make new use of the track’s infield by placing a four-row, 527,579 kWh solar installation to sustainably offset the Forest Preserve District headquarters’ energy demand. Not only will this new array fulfill the District’s Clean Energy, Resiliency, and Sustainability Plan’s objective to identify useable clean energy sources but will also protect the forest preserves by minimizing environmental impact while providing new sustainability education opportunities.

The District Board approved a contract with Verde Solutions, LLC in November of 2024 to design, engineer, and build the installation. Construction is set to begin on July 2, 2025 and will be completed in late October 2025.

Altogether, the solar field will supply 110% of the headquarters building’s energy needs, meaning that the remaining 10% can be fed back into the grid. Combined with savings of nearly $60,000 in electricity costs every year, the solar installation will pay for itself in just over five years. Each panel is covered under a 30-year warranty.

Status

As of March 27, 2025, the permitting process has been completed. Verde Solutions has begun procuring the panels, with modules, inverters, and racking to follow in the coming weeks.

Funding

The upfront cost is $1,159,879 — 83% of which will be reimbursed through federal and state incentives, resulting in a net cost of $194,987. The installation’s cost is expected to be offset 5.3 years after the array becomes fully operational.