The development of the solar farm on a portion of the closed Salem landfill off Lake Street is moving forward.  The founder of AC Power Annika Colston says after a long wait, they have reached agreement on an interconnect to the Ameren system to sell the power.  She reports after signing the agreement Friday, a 12-to-18-month engineering and construction phase will begin, with the next hurdle being EPA approval of plans to assure the landfill cover will not be damaged.
“It is naturally secluded away from people,” Colston said. “It is taking low-value land and repurposing it into something that will bring a benefit to the community. It will be an Illinois Shines community solar project. That means the electricity that’s generated will be available for subscriptions from the community, and they will be offered a discount on their current electricity.
Colston says they had hoped the facility would generate 7.5 megawatts of power, but due to wetland issues that has been reduced to 5 megawatts.  That’s enough to power 700 homes.  Colston says there is a sizable lease payment that will go to the city.
“The actual rent in the lease is $22,000 per megawatt, so it should bring in initially over $100,000 per year, and there’s an escalator for the 25- and 35-year period.”
Colston says the solar panels will sit on a platform above the closed landfill so no digging will be required into the final cover.  The city first entered the agreement with AC Power in February 2014. They are a nine-year-old company based in New York City.
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