Ameresco to develop 27MW DePue solar farm in Illinois

US renewable energy company Ameresco is set to develop the 27MW DePue solar farm in the Village of DePue in Illinois, as per the latest solar industry news.

Post-completion, the DePue solar project is expected to become the largest in Bureau County, while helping the goal of Illinois in achieving 25% renewable energy by the year 2025.

Ameresco will take up the roles of the developer, builder, and owner of the solar farm in DePue, which will be equipped with more than 71,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, which will be installed on ballast blocks entirely above ground.

The DePue solar farm is expected to generate 37,000MWh of clean power in its first year of operation.

Eric Bryant – President of the Village of DePue said: “The Village of DePue is very happy to be the home of the Ameresco Solar project and is looking forward to working with them to make it a reality.”

Ameresco to develop 27MW DePue solar farm in Illinois. Image courtesy of franky242 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

The DePue solar farm is slated to break ground in the summer of 2020 with completion expected later in the same year.

Louis P. Maltezos – Executive Vice President of Ameresco said: “Solar is a powerful renewable energy resource for a community like DePue as well as Bureau County, both of which stand to benefit economically while this development also closely aligns with the environmental objectives of the state of Illinois.

“Ameresco has had tremendous success in the beneficial repurposing of existing land and we are looking forward to working closely with the Village to bring renewable energy to their local community.”

The DePue solar project is estimated to offset 25,947 metric tons of CO2 per year, which is equivalent to removing 5,509 passenger vehicles off the road for one year or providing electricity to 4,525 homes for a year.