Design and Construction Report staff writer
Local officials toured the Double Black Diamond construction site last week. The solar farm will supply power to the City of Chicago.
Once operational, Double Black Diamond Solar is expected to be the largest solar project east of the Mississippi River. Located 30 miles west of Springfield, the project is currently under construction and is expected to reach commercial operations by early 2025.
Swift Current previously announced that Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Societe Generale, Truist and ING provided construction financing. The company has contracted St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Companies as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor.
Swift Current has also selected American-based First Solar to provide the 800 MWdc solar modules for the project and American-based Nextracker to provide the smart solar tracker solutions for the project. The majority of the project’s 1.6 million solar panels were manufactured in the United States. 
Swift Current is the project developer and will be the long-term owner and operator.
“Projects of Double Black Diamond Solar’s magnitude require innovative partnerships. We are delighted to join forces with Google on a ground-breaking structure that will support Double Black Diamond Solar and serve as a guide for other major projects to come,” Eric Lammers, CEO and co-founder of Swift Current, said in a statement
At peak construction, the Project employed approximately 500 construction workers. The project utilizes First Solar modules, a majority of which are being manufactured in the US, as well as solar trackers from U.S.-based Nextracker.
During its operational life, Double Black Diamond Solar will contribute to communities in Sangamon and Morgan counties. The project, capable of powering 100,000 homes annually, is expected to reduce regional carbon dioxide emissions by approximately one million tons per year.
“We are proud to be home to one of the largest clean energy projects in the nation. The Double Black Diamond Solar project brings significant economic benefits to our community, contributing $100 million in tax revenue and supporting hundreds of jobs. This project is a win for both our community and the environment,” said Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter.
Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. will purchase a portion of the energy and RECs generated by Double Black Diamond Solar to serve the seven customers that have been announced. The City of Chicago will source renewable energy produced by the Project to power several energy-intensive facilities, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. Additionally, Cook County Illinois, CVS Health, Loyola University of Chicago, PPG, State Farm, and TransUnion have agreements to purchase power from the Project via Constellation.
