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, 409.5 kWh DC solar installation to sustainably offset the Forest Preserve District headquarters’ energy demand. This 700-panel array is estimated to generate about 531,000 kilowatt hours a year. This avoids approximately 457,000 kWh per year (Actual Facility Demand), which prevents an estimated 403 metric tons of carbon emissions using the energy produced by the solar panels. This new array will not only fulfill the District’s Clean Energy, Resiliency, and Sustainability Plan 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 as well as coordinate receipt of local state and federal incentives for the work

Altogether, the solar field will supply 110% of the headquarters building’s energy needs. Any excess energy generated can be fed back into the grid and the District will receive compensation for up to a maximum of 10% over the prior year’s energy consumption for the facility. Combined with savings of nearly $60,000 in electricity costs every year and various incentives, the solar installation will pay for itself in just over five years. Each panel is covered under a 30-year warranty.

Status

 The project was submitted for permitting in fall 2025 with DuPage County approving a building permit for the work in spring 2026. Construction began in April 2026 and was completed in July 2026.

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.