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KEWANEE, Illinois — A newly-approved solar farm project in Kewanee is promised to bring lower electric bills and more money for the City, officials said.
On Monday, the City approved the Indigo Bunting Solar project, planned for 30 acres just south of OSF Saint Luke Medical Center along Midland Road. The company behind the development said the solar farm will generate enough energy to power an estimated 950 homes. It’s also expected to provide more than $85,000 in annual utility savings to the community.
The project will cost around $8 million and is projected to be completed in two to three years.
Wethersfield School District Superintendent Andrew Brooks said they’ve already seen firsthand how solar energy can make a difference. It may be hard to see from the ground, but sitting on top of Wethersfield High School are solar panels that have been saving the district money every month since 2019.
“We use roughly anywhere between 35,000 and 45,000 kilowatt hours we generate here, which really reduces our footprint,” Brooks said. “We have a power purchase agreement, so whereas you may pay 13 cents a kilowatt hour overall on your power bill, we’re buying that power for under a nickel a kilowatt hour.”
Brooks said it’s a welcomed projectin a time where everyone could use a boost.
“In a time when the economy is rough and people are hurting, that we have an outside vendor or a company coming in with some dollars in the community, it will be beneficial.”
