Swift Current Energy of Boston is constructing the Double Black Diamond solar project near Springfield, IL. The array will cover 4,000 acres and generate 593 megawatts. Power will be supplied to Constellation Energy and will be dedicated to O’Hare and Midway airports, two water purification plants and some Chicago City Government buildings. Power will also be supplied to commercial users including State Farm and PPG.
The Double Black Diamond facility is ranked 8th in capacity among projects under development but will be smaller than existing and proposed projects in California, Nevada, Texas and Arizona, traditionally states with higher solar intensity and duration and lower land costs.
The area to be devoted to the project represents the potential production of 800,000 bushels of corn annually.