Jefferson Township grants preliminary approval for solar project
JEFFERSON TWP — The board of supervisors granted preliminary approval of land development plans for Sunvest Solar’s proposed solar project during its meeting on Monday night, Aug. 10.
The solar project, which would consist of a solar energy collection and distribution site, would be located upon an 83.66-acre parcel of farmland at the corner of Winfield and Riemer roads. According to township manager Leo Rosenbauer, the actual solar project would take up roughly a fifth of that property if it comes to fruition.
In addition to preliminary approval, the board of supervisors granted requests from Sunvest Solar to waive parts of the township’s solar ordinance for the project, including a request to be allowed to develop on an area containing 82.5% Class I, II and III prime agricultural soils. The township’s solar ordinance, which was established in July 2025, currently allows developers to use a maximum of 20% prime agricultural soils for solar energy systems.
There are additional steps that Sunvest would need to fulfill to gain final approval from the township, according to Rosenbauer.
“They would need a stormwater operation and maintenance agreement,” Rosenbauer said. “They’ll need a developer’s agreement and they’ll need a lot of other paperwork.”
