Rockford made headlines recently in the solar world when Wanxiang America Corp. announced plans to build a solar-module factory in the town, which is located northwest of Chicago. Now, Rockford will also be the site of a large solar panel array.
Governor Quinn noted that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity would provide $4 million in federal stimulus funds to the project. Initially, 28 megawatts of capacity will be installed; as many as 62 megawatts could eventually be put in place.
"With partnerships with companies like Wanxiang, we're creating hundreds of sustainable, green-collar jobs and providing an economic boost to the entire state," Quinn said.
The Rockford project won't just create jobs - it will help save water and reduce carbon emissions, as well. Each year, Rockford's array will save an estimated 40 million gallons of water and prevent 10,000 tons of carbon from entering the atmosphere.
With Illinois recently requiring that its utilities buy more solar energy by 2012, the future for clean energy looks bright in the Prairie State.
