Soltage builds pollinator-friendly community solar project in Illinois

Independent power producer Soltage completed the construction and commissioning of a 2.7-MW community solar project in Pontiac, Illinois.

Credit: Soltage

The project is built on land owned by the city of Pontiac and its energy sales are managed by Chicago-based MC Squared Energy Services. The project features single-axis-trackers bifacial modules and native pollinator-friendly vegetation to benefit the local environment.

“We’re glad to continue the drumbeat of community solar development in Illinois to bring clean, affordable and reliable energy to the community in Pontiac and nearby geographies,” said Jonathan Roberts, VP of development for Soltage. “After entering Illinois’ market in 2018, we’ve seen a great demand for community solar through our ongoing partnership with MC Squared and we look forward to increasing access to clean energy for residents and businesses alike.”

The Pontiac project will supply over 4,000 MWh of renewable energy per year to local municipal, commercial and residential community solar subscribers under the Illinois community solar program. Announced in 2019, MC Squared will be Soltage’s exclusive subscription manager for all of the company’s community solar projects across Illinois over the next 20 years.

Rather than using the typical turf grass, the project incorporates native pollinator-friendly plants including shrubs, grasses and flowers to cover and protect the soil. This vegetation provides long-term environmental stewardship benefits to the land and local fauna, and also reduces stormwater runoff.

Soltage entered the Illinois market in 2017 and has raised and invested over $1 billion into clean energy infrastructure since its founding in 2005. The company has developed over 100 clean energy projects and has more than 450 MW of total distributed generating capacity under construction and management across the country.

News item from Soltage

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2022/08/soltage-builds-pollinator-friendly-community-solar-project-in-illinois/