Newsweek | Joe Edwards, August 30 Construction is underway on an 800-megawatt solar project in southern Illinois, which developer Swift Current Energy describes as the largest U.S. solar project east of the Mississippi River. Located 30 miles west of Springfield, Double Black Diamond Solar is said to be capable of powering about 100,000 homes annuallyContinueContinue reading “Illinois to Get ‘Largest Solar Project East of the Mississippi’”
Tag Archives: illinois
RWE begins construction on first utility-scale solar project in Illinois
Solar Builder | June 12 RWE is building its first utility-scale solar project in Illinois to help the state meet its growing demand for clean power. The 150 MWac Casey Fork Solar project is part of RWE’s continuing U.S. expansion, with plans to grow its renewables portfolio from more than 9 GW net installed capacity todayContinueContinue reading “RWE begins construction on first utility-scale solar project in Illinois”
Less than 3% of farmland could power the Midwest
PV Magazine | John Fitzgerald Weaver, May 29 The Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA) has released an analysis, Sifting through Solar: Land-Use Concerns on Prime Farmland, which discusses the potential expansion of solar power by 2050 on Midwest farmland. The report highlights that solar projects have generated 147,000 rural jobs and delivered substantial land lease paymentsContinueContinue reading “Less than 3% of farmland could power the Midwest”
Solar Energy Projects Set to Boost Illinois’ Renewable Energy Goals
Solar Quarter | Kavitha, May 10 Illinois is witnessing a surge in solar energy initiatives, with 27 GW currently installed and an additional 65 GW expected to be operational within the next five years, as reported by the Solar Energy Industries Association. This growth is bolstered by the state’s robust renewable portfolio standard, mandating thatContinueContinue reading “Solar Energy Projects Set to Boost Illinois’ Renewable Energy Goals”
Henry County residents visit wind farm in Illinois
Southeast Iowa Union | AnnaMarie Ward, March 6 DECATUR, Illinois — About a dozen Henry County residents attended a wind farm tour offered by RWE Renewables to Decatur, Illinois, Monday to explore firsthand a topic that has been hotly debated in recent weeks. Traveling three and a half hours to central Illinois, residents toured theContinueContinue reading “Henry County residents visit wind farm in Illinois”
CEJA legislation has boosted Illinois solar development over two years
Solar Builder | SB Staff September 27 The solar industry in Illinois is celebrating the second anniversary of a pivotal piece of legislation that has supercharged development. Two years after Illinois’ landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) was signed into law on Sept. 15, 2021, solar advocates and industry members are celebrating its success and theContinueContinue reading “CEJA legislation has boosted Illinois solar development over two years”
Report: Illinois leads Midwest in building ‘clean power’ capacity
Public News Service | Mark Richardson September 29 A new report ranks Illinois first among 11 Midwestern states for the amount of clean power capacity under construction, and second for new clean power capacity. The American Clean Energy Association said wind, solar, and energy storage plants currently provide almost 14% of the electricity produced in Illinois, potentiallyContinueContinue reading “Report: Illinois leads Midwest in building ‘clean power’ capacity”
Midwest taps dueling strategies to supercharge renewables
Energy Wire | Jeffrey Tomich September 18 Illinois and Indiana are separated by more than a state line, time zones and which political party dominates state government. The Midwest neighbors have also taken opposite tacks to enable more renewable energy development. Democratically controlled Illinois enacted a law in January that prohibits counties from blocking windContinueContinue reading “Midwest taps dueling strategies to supercharge renewables”
Underground electric project running from North Iowa to Illinois gets state approval
KIMT 3 | Mike Bunge September 13 DES MOINES, Iowa – An underground electric transmission line from Mason City to Illinois has been approved by the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB). The petition for a franchise to construct, maintain, and operate a new electric transmission line by SOO Green HVDC Link ProjectCo, LLC (SOO Green) was approved Wednesday. The projectContinueContinue reading “Underground electric project running from North Iowa to Illinois gets state approval”
No better place: Wind and solar company opens training site in Bloomington
IPM News | Eric Stock August 10 The company that built McLean County’s first wind farm has opened its first technician training facility in Bloomington. Houston-based EDP Renewables operates seven wind farm projects in central and northern Illinois, and more than 400 wind and solar farms across the country. New hires for the company at anyContinueContinue reading “No better place: Wind and solar company opens training site in Bloomington”