Double Black Diamond Solar

An American Project Made by American Workers

Double Black Diamond Solar is ushering in a new era for American solar projects.

Located just 30 miles west of Springfield, Illinois, Double Black Diamond Solar started construction following the passage of the historic Inflation Reduction Act. Today, thousands of American workers have been involved in the project from module manufacturing to installation. Swift Current Energy developed the project and will be the long-term owner and operator.

Double Black Diamond is expected to be the largest U.S. solar project east of the Mississippi River, and the largest solar project in MISO. The scale means that it can provide enough emissions-free energy each year to power more than 100,000 households.

Project at a Glance

Project Capacity

~ 800 MWdc (593 MWac)

Homes Powered

> 100,000

Location

Virden, Illinois in Morgan and Sangamon Counties

Expected Commercial Operation

2024

Project Financing

$779 million

The project holds offtake agreements with major public and private entities. Constellation will purchase a portion of the energy and RECs generated by Double Black Diamond Solar to serve the seven customers that have been announced.

Customer Highlight

Powering the City of Chicago

By 2024, Double Black Diamond will offset around 70% of the electricity use from the City of Chicago’s municipal operations.

“We are hoping that we can demonstrate to other public agencies and, frankly, private organizations in the region, that you can cost effectively continue to spur the quick development of this critical industry.”

Jared Policicchio

Chicago’s deputy chief sustainability officer

Learn more

The solar project brings together American-based businesses McCarthy, First Solar and Nextracker to construct a market-leading project that we hope will serve as an example for other projects to come.

American-based Suppliers

Solar Tracker Provider

U.S.-based Nextracker providing with components manufactured in the U.S.

Steel Piles

> 19, 382 tons of domestically manufactured steel piles

Solar Modules

1.6 million solar modules, a majority of which will be manufactured in the U.S. by First Solar

Construction At a Glance

JOBS

~450 Craft Personnel

> 1 million people-hours total projected to construct project

UNIONS

Laborers (LIUNA), Operators (UBOE), Carpenters (UBC), Electricians (IBEW), Iron Workers (IW), Teamsters (TEAMSTERS), Cement Masons (CM)

EPC

U.S.-based McCarthy Building Companies

“I’m getting ready to retire. I couldn’t ask for a better way to finish up. It’s all about green energy now. So this is the next phase. A lot of kids are going to make some good money on this for the years to come.” — Tom Sherman, Carpenters, Local 270

“I’m able to be home more with my family now. The benefits are fantastic. The insurance… I see a lot of job security. We’re going to be here for a little while.” — Jake Gomolka, Carpenters, Local 174

“We have projects like this that are two years. Second year apprentices can be journeyman by the time they’re done.” — Estevan Perez, Project Asst. Superintendent, McCarthy Building Companies

“I started doing solar fresh out of high school and I’ve been doing it for five, six years now. I feel there’s a new wave of jobs and everything like that and it’s easy for everyone to get into.” — Kemond Smith, Carpenters, Local 270

Supplier Highlight

Made in the USA

U.S.-based Nextracker providing with components manufactured in the U.S.

“It’s projects like these that have America reclaiming its legacy as an energy powerhouse. We are building this country’s energy security with American-made solar panels on Pittsburgh-made steel.”

Dan Shugar

Nextracker founder & CEO