By Tom Emery
CARLINVILLE – Optimism for the future abounds this week after Blackburn College broke ground on a state-of-the-art solar project.
The $3 million, 2-megawatt solar array — which will be constructed on 8 acres of the northern part of the Blackburn campus — is expected to provide more than 80% of the school’s energy needs.
A crowd of dignitaries attended a two-part event Thursday that began with a welcome in the Mahan Science Wing before continuing outside at the construction site for a ceremonial ground-breaking.
“The solar farm is such a good example of one of Blackburn’s core values, self-sufficiency,” Blackburn President Julie Murray-Jensen said. “Blackburn prides itself on taking care of our community, and this is one more way we can practice and honor this spirit.
The ground-breaking was the latest step in a project that has spanned more than two years. The cost of the project is partially covered by renewable energy credits from the Illinois Power Agency.
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“I’m very excited about this project,” Morris said. “It’s been two years in the making, and this project has a 25-year lifespan. It’s exciting to know that 80 percent of our energy needs will be taken care of for that long.”
The array was bought from IL-Solar of Litchfield with tax-exempt bond proceeds.
The campus uses 3.6 kilowatts of power annually. The solar array will provide 3.1 kilowatts and generate $125,000 in annual savings after project expenses. That is a 60% savings on utility costs, Blackburn’s second-largest expense behind payroll.
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