Sangamon County approves major solar power project [View all]

The Sangamon County Board approved what would be the largest solar project in Illinois earlier this month, moving forward with a plan to place solar panels on 3,250 acres of land in southwest Sangamon County over the span of a 35-year leasing agreement.

The board voted 21-4 to approve the plan, which allows Swift Current Energies to undertake its Double Black Diamond solar project. The photovoltaic generators would span 4,100 acres of land altogether with some of the project straddling the border into Morgan County.

The company, based in Boston, Massachusetts, also has offices in Illinois, Maine, Montana and Texas. Swift Current Energies develops, constructs, owns and operates wind and solar energy projects in North America.

Speaking at the Nov. 9 meeting, project manager Daniel Sheehan said Sangamon County could expect to bring in $71 million in tax revenue over the 35-year life of the project, and that it is expected to generate 976 jobs during its 12-to-18-month construction.

Read more: https://www.illinoistimes.com/springfield/county-approves-major-solar-power-project/Content?oid=14387101