Castillo technique was selected by Recon Corporation to provide design and engineering services for two new community solar projects in Illinois, totaling 15 MWdirect current. The two 7.5 MW projects, part of the Illinois Shines of Adjustable Block Program, are located in the cities of Pontiac and Odell and will use single-axis trackers.
Credit: Castillo Engineering
The projects are expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2025 and be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. This announcement comes after Castillo acquired a portfolio of three projects totaling 23 MW with Recon in the first quarter of 2024. Once these latest projects are operational, Castillo and Recon will have collectively completed more than 50 MW of projects.
“Castillo remains our partner of choice due to their deep experience in the Midwest and consistent track record of completing projects on schedule and budget,” said Scott Walker, president of Recon. “We look forward to further leveraging their in-house expertise in civil, electrical and structural engineering to more efficiently deliver community solar projects for the people of Illinois.”
In the past four years, community solar capacity in Illinois has tripled. The state now ranks in the top four U.S. states for installed community solar capacity, behind New York, Minnesota and Massachusetts. This is possible due to favorable legislation in the state. The Illinois Shines program recently increased the size limit for eligible projects from 2 MW to 5 MWAC. These two new projects are the first of this new permitted size that Castillo and Recon have completed.
“We are grateful to once again have the opportunity to work with an industry leader like Recon Corporation in the Midwest,” said Christopher Castillo, CEO of Castillo Engineering. “Their expertise is unmatched in the region and we look forward to helping them efficiently execute this additional slate of impactful community solar projects.”
News item from Castillo Engineering