Have you noticed the huge Solar Farm on Windsor Road, between First Street and the railroad tracks? Want to go visit it on-site? Now’s your chance!

Join CCNet on July 19 for a brown bag presentation from 12-1, followed by a Solar Farm site visit from 1-1:30.

Phoenix Solar South Farms, LLC, was hired by University in 2015 to design, build, and operate a 20.8-acre Solar Farm along Windsor Road. The Solar Farm produces over 7 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually or approximately 2% of the annual electrical demand for the Urbana campus, making this site one of the largest university solar arrays in the country. The University signed a 10-year power purchase agreement with Phoenix Solar to purchase all electricity produced by the Solar Farm and deliver it directly to the campus grid. In addition, the University owns all current and future Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and emission credits associated with energy from the 4.68 megawatt (MWac) Solar Farm.

1. We will begin at 12 p.m. in room 128 in the entry hall at Facilities & Services at 1501 S. Oak Street, Champaign, IL.

2. Please remember to arrange your own transportation to the Solar Farm site, by vehicle or bicycle. After the presentation, take First Street past Windsor Road and turn right on the gravel drive to the south of the Solar Farm.

3. Closed-toe shoes are required, and long pants are recommended.

4. There is no shade at the Solar Farm, so a hat and sunscreen are also recommended.

Getting There: The tour begins at the Physical Plant Service Building (PPSB) at 1501 S. Oak Street in Champaign, with a 45-minute presentation, and then participants travel to the Solar Farm site at Windsor Road and First Street. You MUST have your own transportation. If you opt to drive to PPSB, a limited number of visitor spaces are available next to Lot E23, adjacent to the south side of the building. Meter parking also is available along Oak Street and in Lot E14, across the street from PPSB. Bike racks are located on the south side of PPSB. See the F&S Visitor Guide for more parking information.