Springfield Solar Farm

People are talking about the possibility of CWLP building a solar farm in Springfield. The city council passed ordinance 2009-395 at their August 5th meeting to study the feasibility of a 5MW solar project. It supplements funds CWLP is receiving from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.





Eventually, CWLP's contract for wind power will run out at a time when clean energy is in high demand. I hope the city renews its commitment to wind energy, but we need something lasting built in Springfield. A solar farm would take advantage of federal stimulus dollars and the trend of new solar becoming more price competitive.

I'll be interested to see if they look at new concentrated solar technology and something bigger than 5MW. Either way, it would put Springfield out front as an environmental leader again with our own source of renewable energy. The coal industry talks about the large supply of U.S. coal but our supply of sunlight is endless.