Ameresco Case Studies Revitalizing Brownfield Sites: Ameresco's Brightfield Solar Project in Illinois

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	Revitalizing Brownfield Sites: Ameresco's Brightfield Solar Project in Illinois Ameresco

Revitalizing Brownfield Sites: Ameresco's Brightfield Solar Project in Illinois

Ameresco

Technology Category	Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM) Sensors - Utility Meters
Applicable Industries	Renewable Energy Utilities
Applicable Functions	Procurement Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Construction Management Construction Site Monitoring
Services	System Integration
Challenge	The case study revolves around the challenge of transforming a former General Motors Powertrain Division Plant turned brownfield site in Danville, Illinois into a productive and environmentally friendly space. The site, which was previously a manufacturing plant, had been lying dormant and unutilized. The challenge was to repurpose this land in a way that would not only contribute to the local economy but also align with the state's clean energy goals. The project also aimed to contribute to Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act, which mandates the installation of 2,700 MW of solar power by 2030, with 2% of those projects coming from brownfield sites like closed landfills. Read More
About Customer	The customer in this case study is the state of Illinois, specifically the community in and around Danville. The project not only provides clean, renewable energy to the local community but also contributes to the state's clean energy goals. The project also provides tax revenue to the Danville area, further benefiting the local community. The project is a prime example of using innovative cleantech solutions to identify clean energy uses for public land, thereby benefiting the community at large. Read More
Solution	Ameresco, Inc., a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, partnered with Inovateus Solar, a top U.S. solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company, to develop a 'brightfield' solar project on the brownfield site. The 2.62-megawatt (MW) Danville solar system consists of over 6,600 solar modules and is connected to the Ameren utility grid. The project, which began construction in November 2020 and was completed in May 2022, is expected to generate over 3,600,000 kWh of electricity and offset over 1,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. The project was owned by Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, an independent power producer and green energy investment company. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM)

Sensors - Utility Meters

Applicable Industries

Renewable Energy

Utilities

Applicable Functions

Procurement

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Construction Management

Construction Site Monitoring

Services

System Integration

Challenge

The case study revolves around the challenge of transforming a former General Motors Powertrain Division Plant turned brownfield site in Danville, Illinois into a productive and environmentally friendly space. The site, which was previously a manufacturing plant, had been lying dormant and unutilized. The challenge was to repurpose this land in a way that would not only contribute to the local economy but also align with the state's clean energy goals. The project also aimed to contribute to Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act, which mandates the installation of 2,700 MW of solar power by 2030, with 2% of those projects coming from brownfield sites like closed landfills.

About Customer

The customer in this case study is the state of Illinois, specifically the community in and around Danville. The project not only provides clean, renewable energy to the local community but also contributes to the state's clean energy goals. The project also provides tax revenue to the Danville area, further benefiting the local community. The project is a prime example of using innovative cleantech solutions to identify clean energy uses for public land, thereby benefiting the community at large.

Solution

Ameresco, Inc., a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, partnered with Inovateus Solar, a top U.S. solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company, to develop a 'brightfield' solar project on the brownfield site. The 2.62-megawatt (MW) Danville solar system consists of over 6,600 solar modules and is connected to the Ameren utility grid. The project, which began construction in November 2020 and was completed in May 2022, is expected to generate over 3,600,000 kWh of electricity and offset over 1,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. The project was owned by Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company, an independent power producer and green energy investment company.

Impact #1	The operational results of the project are multifaceted. Firstly, it has transformed a dormant brownfield site into a productive space, thereby making efficient use of land that might otherwise lie idle. Secondly, it has helped the state of Illinois move closer to its clean energy goals. The project also has a significant environmental impact, equivalent to powering 350 Illinois homes and removing approximately 480 cars from the road. Additionally, the project provides tax revenue to the Danville area, contributing to the local economy. Lastly, the project serves as a model for other states and communities looking to repurpose brownfield sites and achieve their clean energy goals.

Impact #1

The operational results of the project are multifaceted. Firstly, it has transformed a dormant brownfield site into a productive space, thereby making efficient use of land that might otherwise lie idle. Secondly, it has helped the state of Illinois move closer to its clean energy goals. The project also has a significant environmental impact, equivalent to powering 350 Illinois homes and removing approximately 480 cars from the road. Additionally, the project provides tax revenue to the Danville area, contributing to the local economy. Lastly, the project serves as a model for other states and communities looking to repurpose brownfield sites and achieve their clean energy goals.

Benefit #1	The project generates over 3,600,000 kWh of electricity annually.
Benefit #2	The solar system offsets over 1,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Benefit #3	The project contributes to the state's mandate of installing 2,700 MW of solar power by 2030.

Benefit #1

The project generates over 3,600,000 kWh of electricity annually.

Benefit #2

The solar system offsets over 1,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Benefit #3

The project contributes to the state's mandate of installing 2,700 MW of solar power by 2030.

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Overview

Revitalizing Brownfield Sites: Ameresco's Brightfield Solar Project in Illinois

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit