The renewable energy wing of power infrastructure firm Babcock & Wilcox has been awarded more than $15 million in contracts to engineer, procure and construct (EPC) five community solar energy projects in Illinois.
Developer Summit Ridge Energy contracted Babcock & Wilcox Solar Energy Inc. to lead EPC work on 15 MW in community solar installations. The solar farms are expected to be completed later this year.
Community solar is considered a growing option compared to massive, utility-scale farms and individual rooftop and on-site projects. These are often subscriber solar options, with upfront costs handled by the developer, and avoid the potential rate increases of utility-scale or high personal expense of rooftop.
“The market for community solar projects in the U.S. is growing substantially thanks to high demand for affordable, clean energy, as well as state and federal incentives for renewable energy, including for solar power,” said Joe Buckler, B&W Senior Vice President, Clean Energy. “In particular, the recently signed U.S. Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions for all types of solar projects, including community solar, that are driving increased interest in development.”
Summit Ridge Energy and Babcock & Wilcox have worked together fairly recently. The EPC contractor, which manages subcontractors, site coordination and electrical tie-ins to the grid once completed, was awarded $20-plus million last year to build seven Illinois solar photovoltaic farms.
“Solar projects like these are providing clean, reliable and affordable power to people across Illinois and the United States. As the market leader in Illinois, SRE is proud to continue shaping the state as a major clean energy market,” said Raj Soi, Executive Vice President of Operations, Summit Ridge Energy. “We’re excited to build on our strong relationship with B&W and support the state of Illinois as it leads the national energy transition.”
