–The Algona City Council approved an application for voluntary annexation of just over 54 acres of land located along HWY 169 just north of the city limits during their meeting this week. The annexation though is contingent upon the owner and a development partner obtaining the necessary approval to construct a utility-scale solar farm. Algona Municipal Utilities General Manager John Bilsten spoke during a public hearing on the annexation request Monday, and he says that negotiations with the project developer are ongoing.
Councilman Harley Kohlhaas asked if there was any way the solar panels could cause a problem for traffic along the highway.
If the private developer can obtain the regulatory and funding approvals for the project, Algona Municipal Utilities would enter into a power purchase agreement to obtain the electricity developed by the solar farm.
