November 9, 2018

University of Illinois plans 2nd solar farm

The University of Illinois has proposed adding a second solar farm to its campus that would roughly triple the size of its current 21-acre campus installation in Savoy, Ill.

A report by the News-Gazette said that Solar Farm 2.0 would generate 25,000 megawatt hours of energy per year, compared to 7,000 through its existing solar project. The new project “would help the campus meet clean energy targets in its Illinois Climate Action Plan, known as iCap,” according to Morgan White, director of sustainability for UI Facilities and Services.

The report said the university is preparing its RFP, to be issued in late November, for a private developer to partner with the university on a 20-year PPA. The firm would build and operate the solar farm, then sell the energy to the university, to take advantage of clean-energy tax incentives. The university hopes construction can begin before the end of 2019, as the 30% tax credit for solar energy starts to decline in 2020.