Ameren Illinois Breaks Ground on $20M Peoria Solar Center

Ameren Illinois has begun construction on the Peoria Solar Energy Center, a $20 million project that will generate 2.5 megawatts of clean solar power, enough to supply electricity to approximately 420 homes and businesses in the Peoria region. Located on a 37-acre site along Prichard Road, the center will feature nearly 5,000 solar panels and include a 1.5MW AC Lithium-Ion battery storage system to help manage electricity distribution and reduce grid stress. This facility is the third utility-scale solar project Ameren Illinois has developed under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), signed by Governor JB Pritzker in 2021, which aims for Illinois to reach 100% clean energy by 2050. Ameren Illinois President Lenny Singh emphasized the importance of increasing energy supply to meet growing demand in Downstate Illinois, supporting grid reliability, lowering costs, and promoting economic development, with 50 jobs created during construction. The project also highlights Ameren's ongoing investment in local grid infrastructure, with over $112 million invested in the Peoria metro area over the past seven years. Officials and community leaders view the solar center as a significant step toward a clean energy future and equitable economic growth in Illinois.