Ameresco to build 27-MW solar park in Illinois

US energy efficiency and renewables firm Ameresco Inc (NYSE:AMRC) plans a 27-MW solar power plant in the Village of DePue, Illinois. The company expects to begin building the solar farm, the largest one in Bureau County, next summer. The facility will comprise over 71,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on ballast blocks entirely above ground and will be able to generate some 37,000 MWh of electricity in its first year of operation. During the site development process, the project will collect permitting fees as well as about USD 10,000 (EUR 9,100) upon completion later in 2020. Ameresco noted that those funds will help offset the village’s energy costs. The county will also collect increased property tax revenue from the project completion, the company added.