Swift Current Energy has energised its 800MW Double Black Diamond Solar project in the US state of Illinois.
The facility, the largest solar project east of the Mississippi River, is now fully operational and a major source of new energy for the region.
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Its completion was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local leaders and stakeholders.
The city of Chicago, a significant customer of the project, sources 70% of its power for city operations, including major airports, from the new solar facility.
Entities such as Cook County, CVS Health, Loyola University Chicago, PPG, State Farm and TransUnion are also drawing power from the facility through Constellation NewEnergy.
Swift emphasised the use of domestically manufactured components, with most of the 1.6 million solar modules produced by First Solar in Ohio.
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By GlobalDataThe racking systems were supplied by Nextracker, using steel manufactured in Chicago.
The construction of Double Black Diamond Solar generated 500 jobs and was completed with more than one million safe person-hours.
Swift Current CEO and co-Founder Eric Lammers stated: “Electricity demand in the US is accelerating with new manufacturing load and tech needs. Our Double Black Diamond Solar facility is an example of how we are utilising US-manufacturers and American workers to provide the energy needed to charge our country’s growth now.”
The project aligns with the Illinois Clean and Equitable Jobs Act’s standards for labour and diverse hiring, contributing to employment opportunities across the state.
McCarthy Building Companies, based in St Louis, was the engineering, procurement, and construction provider for the project.
Since its inception in 2018, the Double Black Diamond Solar project has been developed by Swift Current Energy. It began power production in 2024 and powers 100,000 homes annually.
The project will provide significant tax revenue to Sangamon and Morgan counties and a $10m community benefits fund to local institutions.
Swift Current Energy remains the long-term owner and operator of the facility, with financial backing from Google for tax equity and construction financing from Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Societe Generale, Truist and other leading lenders.
