As construction continues to ramp up, for your safety and the safety of site workers, please review the following safety guidelines: 

Do Not Enter Active Work Zones
Access to construction areas is prohibited unless you are authorized and escorted by an Earthrise site representative.

Moving Heavy Equipment
Earthmoving equipment and other large vehicles are operating throughout the project site. This equipment has limited visibility and requires ample space to maneuver. Always remain alert and keep a minimum distance of 200 feet. Never approach equipment from behind, and do not assume the operator sees you.

Open Trenches & Excavations
Deep trenching work is underway. These areas can pose serious fall and engulfment hazards. Entry is restricted to authorized personnel only. All excavation zones are marked for protection.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to complete this project safely. If you have questions or concerns, please contact our Safety Manager, Heather Kent at heather.kent@earthriseenergy.com

Project Updates

August 21, 2025 Update

Right now, our biggest tasks are installing trackers and modules while also continuing our quality checks. This work will continue over the next two weeks. Other crews are now working on electrical work above ground.

August 7, 2025 Update

Crews in McLean county are making progress on construction. Some crews are installing trackers, while others are installing piles. This work, along with the quality check of the modules, will continue over the next two weeks.

July 24, 2025 Update

Module installation is well underway in many areas. Some crews are working on above-ground electrical tasks, including the installation of carious types of wiring. These efforts, along with ongoing quality checks, will continue over the next two weeks.

July 10, 2025 Update

The McLean project has steadily advanced through key construction phases, beginning with site grading and civil work to prepare the area for development. Once grading was completed, crews moved into trench excavation and underground electrical work, including cable installation. This was followed by pile driving, where foundations were installed to support future tracker and module installation.

Over the past month, tracker assembly and torque tube placement were completed in designated sections of the site, paving the way for the next stage of construction.

We are now in the module installation phase. Crews are actively mounting PV modules on completed tracker rows, and installation is progressing efficiently as teams become increasingly familiar with the site layout and workflows. Module deliveries remain on schedule, supporting steady progress across the project.

We are thrilled to announce that we are nearing the start of construction for Gibson City Energy Center Solar 1. This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our community and we want to extend our sincere gratitude. Our general contractor, Burns & McDonnell, will be mobilizing on-site starting October 21st, with construction expected to take approximately 18 months. Please see the timeline below which highlights key milestones in the construction process.  The first steps will include site preparation, such as removing existing vegetation, installing temporary sediment basins, and installing internal access roads. In addition, safety is a top priority for us, and we are taking all steps necessary to ensure a safe construction process.