Highlights
- Substantial Scale: Double Black Diamond Solar is the largest operating solar facility in Illinois and east of the Mississippi River
- Strong Local Customers: City of Chicago and seven other customers are now sourcing power through Constellation from Double Black Diamond Solar, advancing their energy goals with affordable, emissions-free power
- Domestic Content and American Jobs: From module manufacturing to installation, thousands of American workers supported and benefitted from the project's construction, underscoring the now robust domestic solar industry
- Local Economic Impacts: Sangamon and Morgan Counties are set to receive ~$100 million in revenue over the life of the project
Swift Current Energy (Swift Current) today (April 30) announced that its landmark 800 MWdc (593 MWac) Double Black Diamond Solar project is now operating. The new solar facility, located 30 miles west of Springfield, IL, is the largest operating solar facility east of the Mississippi and provides a major source of new energy capacity in the state.
To celebrate the project's completion, local leaders, project landowners, and customers joined Swift Current Energy today for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the project site. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter, Constellation Executive Vice President Kathleen L. Barrón, and Swift Current Energy CEO Eric Lammers, President Matt Birchby, and Chief Development Officer William Kelsey provided official remarks on the project.
Eric Lammers, CEO and Co-Founder of Swift Current, said, "Electricity demand in the U.S. is accelerating with new manufacturing load and tech needs. Our Double Black Diamond Solar facility is an example of how we are utilizing U.S.-manufacturers and American workers to provide the energy needed to charge our country's growth now. We thank our customers in collaboration with Constellation for their commitment to this project. We especially thank Sangamon and Morgan Counties for welcoming us into their communities during development and construction. We will continue to honor our commitments as we operate Double Black Diamond."
Neil Doherty, Executive Director, Infrastructure at IFM Investors, added, "We are delighted to sponsor the Double Black Diamond solar project and demonstrate the benefits that long term private capital can bring when partnering with a major American City like Chicago. We are proud to support this project which will deliver tangible economic benefits for the local community, and has supported manufacturing and construction jobs for American workers."
The City of Chicago is one of the largest cities in the U.S. to source 100 percent of the power for its operations from renewable energy. About 70 percent of Chicago's power that is used for its facilities - including O'Hare and Midway airports - is sourced from Swift Current's Double Black Diamond Solar project. Additionally, Cook County, CVS Health, Loyola University Chicago, PPG, State Farm, and TransUnion are sourcing power from the project via Constellation NewEnergy, Inc.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said, "This project is a powerful example of why we believe in the green economy. Double Black Diamond Solar is union-made, clean energy that will make our city cleaner and more energy efficient. Projects like this are about our commitment to environmental justice, but they are also about good jobs and affordability for the working people of our city. We intend to build upon this critical milestone and continue to increase the adoption of clean energy in our city, improving the lives of our residents through new job opportunities in the green economy and reduced emissions. We are happy to partner with Swift Current Energy and Constellation to make progress toward a healthier, greener Chicago."
Kathleen Barrón, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Constellation, said, "Double Black Diamond demonstrates what's possible when we bring customers and clean energy solutions together. We were proud to work closely with the City of Chicago and other customers to help bring this new capacity to life. Efforts like this aren't just about reducing emissions - they also drive local investment, support American manufacturing, and help communities realize the full value of clean energy while advancing their sustainability goals."
Swift Current utilized the robust domestic solar manufacturing supply chain to source most of the components for Double Black Diamond Solar, adding to the national and regional benefits of the project. A majority of the project's 1.6 million solar modules were manufactured by First Solar in Ohio, and the racking was supplied by U.S.-based Nextracker, with a portion of key components manufactured locally in Chicago using 100% US-made steel. During construction, Double Black Diamond Solar created approximately 500 jobs and reached commercial operation with more than 1 million safe person-hours. The project also successfully met the Illinois Clean and Equitable Jobs Act's (CEJA) labor and diverse hiring standards for renewable energy development, helping bring employment opportunities to a wider range of Illinoisians. St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. served as engineering, procurement, and construction provider for the project.
Swift Current Energy started the greenfield development of Double Black Diamond Solar in 2018. The facility began producing power in 2024 and today the facility is the largest solar project east of the Mississippi River, producing enough power for the equivalent of 100,000 homes annually.
Over the life of the project, Double Black Diamond Solar is anticipated to provide substantial tax revenue to the local project counties, Sangamon and Morgan counties, in central Illinois. Additionally, Swift Current will provide $10 million in community benefits funds to the Sangamon Growth Alliance, Auburn School District, City of Chicago, and Cook County.
Andy Van Meter, Chair, Sangamon County Board, said, "The Double Black Diamond Solar project brings significant financial benefits to Sangamon County. It's expected to generate $100 million in local tax revenue over its lifetime, with more than 60% directed to our public schools. The remaining revenue will strengthen essential services, including public safety, infrastructure, and community programs that support the needs of families throughout our County. We are thankful to Swift Current Energy, whose efforts will deliver tangible benefits for our residents."
Swift Current is the long-term owner and operator of the project and has previously announced that tax equity for the project was provided by Google, and construction financing for the project was provided by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Societe Generale, Truist, and eight other leading lenders.
About Swift Current Energy
Swift Current Energy is trailblazing a path for clean energy now. Founded in 2016, the company develops, owns and operates highly competitive, utility-scale wind, solar and energy storage projects across the United States. Swift Current Energy is majority-owned by funds managed by IFM Investors and Lookout Ridge Energy Partners. For more information, please visit swiftcurrentenergy.com.
