Summit Ridge Energy, a commercial solar company, has selected renewable energy company Castillo Engineering for design and engineering services on an 82 MW portfolio of 26 community solar projects in Illinois, which are part of the Illinois Shines or Adjustable Block Program.
Each of the average 3 MW community solar projects will use bifacial solar modules mounted on single-axis solar trackers, and the majority of these projects will provide pollinator-friendly habitats.
Construction on the projects will begin in Q1 2024 and is expected to be completed by Q4 2024.
Together, Castillo Engineering and Summit Ridge Energy will reach over 120 projects, totaling over 375 MW, throughout the country once these projects are completed. Collectively, both companies will have a community solar portfolio of over 500 MW in Illinois by the end of 2024.
"We chose to work with Castillo Engineering on this portfolio of projects due to their extensive community solar experience within Illinois, their Project Management Office, as well as their highly customized solutions," said Pradeep Mohanraj, Vice President of Engineering at Summit Ridge Energy. "Throughout our longstanding relationship, Castillo Engineering has provided Summit Ridge and our EPC partners with critical feedback on design improvements, product selection, and innovative value engineering ideas, among other deliverables, that enable us to build these projects on schedule and on budget."
According to an analysis from Wood Mackenzie, community solar capacity in the U.S. is expected to increase, with total capacity to reach 14 GW by 2028 from about 6 GW in 2023.
