Illinois solar project to be biggest in eastern half of U.S.

Illinois already creates in the neighborhood of 7000 megawatts of energy from wind power coming from the fields and fields of windmills in the central and western portions of the state, but a massive solar array being built thirty miles west of Springfield is estimated to produce 800 more megawatts.

The Double Black Diamond Solar Project is slated to begin commercial operations early next year (2025).

The array is and will provide hundreds of jobs for the region, clean energy for business, and a predicted ten figures in tax revenue for the state of Illinois.

Last year the energy breakdown for the Land of Lincoln saw nuclear power generating almost fifty five percent of Illinois’ electricity. Natural gas was almost sixteen percent. Coal was fifteen percent, wind was just over twelve percent. Solar was just over one percent, but that number should go up. Hydro-electric, biomass and others provide about half a percent.

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Illinois already creates more energy from nuclear than any other state in the country. The Prairie state also has the fifth biggest wind power program per production in the nation. This is crucial as Illinois also fifth in the United States in energy consumption. There is definite growth potential in the solar energy field for the state, but also on an individual level for personal homes and business’. In the energy growth field currently solar is a bright spot of potential for the state. All puns encouraged and applied.