Earthrise Energy Celebrates Cumberland County Board Approval of 150-Megawatt Northwest Solar Project
November 12, 2024
Toledo, Illinois — Earthrise Energy is proud to announce that the Cumberland County Board approved the Northwest Solar project during the public meeting on November 12, 2024. This milestone marks a significant step forward in advancing renewable energy in the region while contributing to economic growth and grid resiliency. This project will generate clean energy for the grid while creating jobs and tax revenue for the community. The project was designed with extensive input from the public and local stakeholders to ensure it aligns with community needs and priorities.
Northwest Solar is a 150-megawatt solar photovoltaic project located two miles east of the Earthrise Energy-owned Shelby County Energy Center gas-fired power plant. The Shelby County Energy Center has been operating since 2000, and since Earthrise took over ownership, its staff and plant employees have been active members of the community. Earthrise has sponsored over a dozen community events like Neoga Days and Sooey fest and has awarded over $100,000 in RISE Grants to critical local organizations like ERBA, CCEEBA, Camp New Hope, and many more.
“The Cumberland County Board’s decision demonstrates their commitment to driving down power costs and delivering reliable energy access,” said Nicole Vaughn, Project Developer for Earthrise Energy. “We are excited to work alongside residents and stakeholders to make this project a success and delivering a project that will benefit the region for decades to come.”
The Northwest Solar Project will contribute over $28 million in tax revenue to Cumberland County over its 50-year lifespan, supporting essential services like schools, fire districts, and public infrastructure. Beyond its economic impact, the project prioritized environmental stewardship by incorporating pollinator-friendly landscaping, avoiding impacts to wetlands to preserve local ecosystems, and incorporating sound and glare mitigation, as well as drainage and erosion control.
Northwest Solar will leverage advanced bifacial solar panels, which capture sunlight from both sides to maximize energy production and efficiency, while being durable enough to withstand extreme weather. Paired with automated tracking systems that optimize panel positioning and a state-of-the-art monitoring system for real-time diagnostics, the project ensures safety, reliability, and resilience in delivering clean energy.
“Northwest Solar marks the third project of ours to be approved in Illinois this year,” said Steve Vavrik, CEO of Earthrise Energy. “We are thrilled to be entrusted with advancing renewable energy in this great state and are excited to bring these innovative projects to life. As we look to the future, solar energy will continue to be a key driver in building a cleaner, more sustainable, and resilient energy system in Illinois, and Earthrise Energy is proud to add Northwest Solar to its fleet of power plants.”
Earthrise Energy extends its gratitude to the Cumberland County Board, community members, and partners for their input and collaboration throughout the review process. Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2025, with operations commencing by 2027.
For more information, please contact: Talya Tavor, Director of Community Engagement, talya.tavor@earthriseenergy.com, 847-997-0564
Earthrise Energy
Earthrise Energy, PBLLC, is an independent power producer with a mission to reduce power sector greenhouse gas emissions faster than ever before. The company acquires, owns, and operates existing power plants and leverages the transmission infrastructure to accelerate renewable energy development, bringing projects online faster than typical greenfield development. Earthrise has 1.7 GW of natural gas-fired generation capacity and 1.5 GW of planned solar projects. For more information about Earthrise Energy, go to earthriseenergy.com.