Solar array announced for Perry County 'Prairie State Solar Project' will produce power for nearly 15,000 homes
In a joint news release on Monday, Wabash Valley Power and Ranger Power announced a deal that will construct the largest solar array in the state in Perry County.
The 99-megawatt array, which will be built on privately-owned land, will produce enough electricity to power nearly 15,000 homes through what's been dubbed the "Prairie State Solar Project."
Groundbreaking is scheduled to occur in late 2019, with commercial operations to begin in 2021. The project is anticipated to create 200 construction jobs and three to five full-time positions once the site is operational.
"We're excited to be one step closer to moving forward with this meaningful investment in our county, which will support new jobs and new revenues for our community to invest in schools, roads, and bridges," said State Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro).
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, statewide solar capacity collectively totals 81.5 megawatts.
The Prairie State Solar Project is part of the objectives of the Future Energy Jobs Act, an Illinois law that went into effect last year requiring at least 4,300 MW of new solar and wind energy to be built in the state by 2030.
"Declining prices of utility-scale solar, coupled with the state government's commitment to creating in-state energy jobs, enabled us to provide the most cost-competitive solar power purchase agreement in Illinois history," said Adam Cohen, CEO of Ranger Power, in a news release.
"This new project will help reduce peak demand, while the additional economic and environmental benefits will impact many more Illinois residents and businesses. We are eager for the future and our partnership with Wabash Valley Power."
Indianapolis-based Wabash Valley Power entered into a 30-year agreement to purchase the power produced by the array, while the renewable energy credits (RECs) associated with the project will be sold through the Illinois Power Agency REC procurement process.
"As a cooperative, we strive to enter into agreements that have a positive impact for everyone involved, particularly in the communities that we serve," said Jay Bartlett, CEO of Wabash Valley Power.
"Our agreement with Ranger Power is a landmark, large-scale solar project demonstrating the future of renewable energy growth."
Wabash Valley Power supplies electricity to 23 not-for-profit electric distribution cooperatives located throughout Illinois, Missouri and Indiana.
Collectively, these cooperatives serve more than 311,000 homes, farms, schools and businesses.
Wabash Valley electric distribution cooperative members include three Illinois cooperatives: Corn Belt Energy, MJM Electric Cooperative and EnerStar Electric Cooperative.
Phone messages seeking comment from Ranger Power representative Rosanne Koneval and Wabash Valley Power representative Lisa Richardson were not returned by the Du Quoin Call's press deadline.