National Grid Renewables, developer, owner, and operator of large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States announced that this Friday began operating the Prairie Wolf Solar Project (Prairie Wolf); a 2500-megawatts solar project located in Coles County, Illinois.
Firstly, the project has its output under contract with Cargill through a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement. As outlined above, the solar farm is in Coles County, Illinois, in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) area.
Moreover, the farm features next-generation Series 6 thin-film solar modules built by First Solar, Inc. Also, SOLV Energy, formerly known as Swinerton Renewable Energy, constructed the Prairie Wolf Solar Project.
During the peak construction phase of the project, it employed around 300 onsite workers for construction and maintenance activities. Consequently, Prairie Wolf will benefit local; and statewide economies by producing millions of dollars in new tax revenue and landowner income.
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National Grid Renewables to fund charitable Education
David Reamer, Head of Development, US Onshore Renewables for National Grid Renewables, said. “With the start of operations at the Prairie Wolf Solar site, National Grid Renewables continues to deliver upon its commitment to repower America with clean, economically beneficial renewable energy.”
He also remarked. “Thank you to our project customer and partners, as well as the community members, who supported Prairie Wolf and enabled enormous benefit to the local economy and farming community.”
In addition to the benefits already mentioned; Prairie Wolf will also fund a charitable Education Fund for the local school district. “This development will benefit the county in many ways, including donations through grants to organizations and schools throughout the county,” commented Stan Metzger, Coles County Board Member.
Finally, over its life, the solar farm will help to offset carbon dioxide emissions by 285,000 metric tons annually during operations; according to the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator.
