⚡ 1480 RENAISSANCE DR

BESS SITE DILIGENCE ANALYSIS REPORT

To: Sunland America Corp. Development Committee

From: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Comprehensive Site Analysis for 1480 RENAISSANCE DR, Park Ridge, IL

1. Site Access & Topography

The subject property, located at 1480 Renaissance Drive in Park Ridge, IL, is situated within a well-developed commercial office park. Road access is listed as "Public" and appears excellent. The site is immediately adjacent to Interstate 294 (I-294), providing outstanding logistical access for equipment delivery and construction crews. The local road network, including Renaissance Drive, is paved and appears to be designed to commercial standards, capable of handling heavy truck traffic.

Based on the location in this region of Illinois, the site's topography is presumed to be flat with minimal grade, which is ideal for BESS development as it significantly reduces civil engineering and site preparation costs. However, a formal topographic survey will be required to confirm this assumption.

Feasibility for delivering heavy equipment, such as multi-ton transformers and containerized battery systems, is considered high. The existing road infrastructure should accommodate the necessary cranes and transport vehicles. A key unknown is the presence of any restrictive covenants or access agreements associated with the office park that might limit construction hours or vehicle types. A title report and review of the plat map are necessary to identify any access easements, utility easements, or other encumbrances that could impact the layout and use of the site.

A notable discrepancy exists regarding parcel size: the primary data sheet lists 35.02 acres, while the Regrid data for the specified APN indicates 2.97 acres. The 2.97-acre figure is more plausible for a single commercial parcel and is sufficient for a distribution-scale (≤5MW) project. This must be clarified immediately via a title search.

2. Environmental Constraints

The environmental profile presents both opportunities and critical unknowns that must be addressed.

• FEMA Flood Zone: The designation is currently "Unknown." This is a critical information gap. Any location within a 100-year floodplain (e.g., Zone A, AE) would introduce significant design challenges, requiring elevated equipment pads and potentially making the project financially unviable. A FEMA FIRMette map must be generated as a first-priority due diligence item.
• Wetlands: The presence of wetlands is "Unknown." A desktop screening using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is required. If potential wetlands are identified, a formal field delineation will be necessary. The presence of jurisdictional wetlands would trigger setback requirements (typically 50-100 feet) and could constrain the buildable area.
• Critical Habitat / Species: The data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on site, which is a significant positive. An IPaC (Information for Planning and Consultation) report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should still be run to formally document the low risk of impacts to federally listed endangered or threatened species.
• Brownfield/Superfund Status: While there is a Superfund site within two miles, it does not appear to impact the subject parcel directly. The key opportunity here is the potential for the site to qualify as a "brownfield" under IRA guidelines, which would unlock a 10% ITC bonus. Given its current use as an office building, qualification is unlikely unless a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) reveals evidence of historical contamination or specific prior land use. This warrants further investigation as a potential value-add.
• Pipeline Proximity: The absence of any major gas pipelines within a three-mile radius is a major safety and design advantage, eliminating concerns related to pipeline setbacks and explosion risk.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

The grid infrastructure presents a promising but unconfirmed opportunity. The nearest transmission line (138kV, 1.5 miles away) is too distant and high-voltage for a cost-effective interconnection for a distribution-scale project. The focus must be on a distribution-level connection.

The nearest substation is marked as "Unknown," which is a major data gap. However, a desktop review using satellite imagery identifies what appears to be the ComEd Park Ridge Substation #141 approximately 0.5 miles east of the site. This proximity is highly favorable.

• Recommended Interconnection: A