NOVI Energy is currently developing a 992 acre, approximately 150 MWAC solar PV facility in Illinois.

The project site is just outside the town of Vienna in Johnson County. It is currently farmed for various crops. The site has been acquired under a long-term lease agreement for solar electricity power generation with multiple landowners. All local permitting has been completed to construct and operate this project, and the environmental permitting and studies are underway. For this development, the NOVI team has initiated environmental studies. This include a wetlands delineation, a threatened and endangered species review, and a cultural, archaeological, and historical review of the entire site. A topographical study was also completed.

The selected technology is bi-facial solar modules with high efficiency PV cells that are optimized for utility scale solar photovoltaic projects. Central inverters will minimize operations and maintenance, and improve efficiency of the overall plant. We will use single-axis tracking systems that have been optimized for use with bi-facial panels to deliver high capacity factors without stretching the inverter ratio of the system.

The generated power will be stepped up to interconnect with Ameren’s 345 kV transmission system that passes west of the site. For this interconnection, NOVI filed the interconnection application to join the process with MISO and Ameren in September of last year (Queue Position J2156). The project is expected to sign its Interconnection Services Agreement and Interconnection Construction Services Agreement late 2022.

Tunnel Hill Solar has an expected Commercial Operations Date of Q2 2025.