Illinois
Missouri, Illinois push forward with new solar projects
ST. LOUIS (First Alert 4) — Overlooking the bluffs of the Mississippi sits Principia College, a small liberal arts school with a big goal of sustainability. They just broke ground on a solar array that, when complete, will produce nearly 30 percent of the energy for the campus. It’s just one of the projects in the bi-state leaning into the affordability of solar power.
“For us, the solar farm is a statement of our values. So it’s one step, out of a lot of steps, in reducing our energy consumption,” said Dr. Nicholas Johnson, assistant professor of sustainability at Principia College.
State and federal tax incentives mean solar energy is becoming more affordable, and more places are leaning toward clean energy.
On Earth Day, President Joe Biden announced $7 billion in federal grants for residential solar projects serving 900,000-plus households in low- and middle-income communities. St. Louis City will receive some of those grants.
Ameren Missouri says 2024 is going to be a record year for solar.
“In 2023, Ameren generated more carbon-free energy than at any other time in recent history. In 2024 we’re expecting the two largest-ever solar facilities in company history to come online, capable of supplying the energy to tens of thousands of homes. By the end of 2026, we anticipate generating enough solar energy to power more than 150,000 residences,” said an Ameren spokesperson.
According to Ameren Illinois, “energy legislation calls for the state to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050 and contains provisions allowing Ameren Illinois to construct solar and battery energy storage facilities in East St. Louis and Peoria. Construction of the East St. Louis Solar Energy Center was completed in December 2022. The East St. Louis Gross Ave. Solar Energy Center broke ground in October 2023 and is scheduled to be in service by the end of 2024. It will be comprised of solar generation and battery energy storage systems. Construction of the Peoria Solar Energy Center is expected to be completed in 2025.”
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