Altorfer, a Caterpillar dealer, has commissioned a 1,000 kW solar photovoltaic system in Rantoul, IL. The array will help fulfill a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Illinois Municipal Electric agency (IMEA). IMEA is an Illinois government entity that consists of 32 municipal electric systems and one electric cooperative.
The array is on an eight-and-a-half acre plot on the former Chanute Air Force Base. Altorfer will lead in the installation, maintenance and operation of the array, which will produce 1.6 million kWh of electricity annually.
The press release says that Caterpillar’s solar voltaic platform is part of the Cat Microgrid suite that consists of solar panels, energy storage and advanced monitoring and control systems.
Late last month, Recurrent Energy — a subsidiary of Canadian Solar — said that it has signed a 20-year, 60MW PPA with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The electricity will come from the Tranquility 8 Verde solar photovoltaic project. Work will start on the project, which is in Fresno County, CA, midyear.