Commercial, Solar  -  September 1, 2022

Illinois Adds Brightfield Solar

A “brightfield” solar project in Danville, Illinois, which was built on a former General Motors Powertrain Division Plant turned brownfield site, has been completed.

The Danville solar project began construction in November of 2020 and was completed by Ameresco, Inc., a cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, and Inovateus Solar, a U.S. solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company.

The 2.62 MW Danville solar system consists of over 6,600 solar modules and is connected to the Ameren utility grid. The completed project is expected to generate over 3,600,000 kWh of electricity and offset over 1,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. 

Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, an independent power producer and green energy investment company, is the owner of the installation.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Inovateus Solar and Ameresco on a clean energy endeavor that gives new life to land that had been idle, while also delivering for the community,” said Jeff Denovan, Senior Vice President of Construction at Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company in a statement. “In addition to the positive environmental impact of the solar power this project produces, it will also provide tax revenue to the Danville area.”

This project contributes to Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act, which requires that 2,700 MW of solar be installed in Illinois by 2030 and that 2% of those projects come from brownfield sites, like closed landfills.

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