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User:NatFee/Solar Farm 2.0

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Solar Farm 2.0
Map
Official nameUIUC Solar Farm 2.0
CountryUnited States
LocationUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Coordinates40°4′12.82″N 88°14′38.46″W / 40.0702278°N 88.2440167°W / 40.0702278; -88.2440167
StatusActive
OwnerCapital Dynamics
OperatorSol Systems
Solar farm
TypeFlat-panel PV
Site area54 acres (22 ha)
Power generation
Nameplate capacity12.32 MWdc
External links
Websiteicap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project/solar-farm-20

Solar Farm 2.0 is a solar array on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It is located near Savoy, north of Curtis Road, between First Street and Dunlap Avenue. Solar Farm 2.0 produces approximately 20,000 megawatt-hours per year and helps meet the goals of their Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP).[1]

History

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Construction began in July 2020.[2] The solar array was energized on January 29, 2021.[3] Native plants were seeded in May and June 2021.[2][4]

Features

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Solar Farm 2.0 has 31,122 bifacial solar panels, single-axis trackers, pollinator habitat, and zero waste construction practices.[1][5] The site serves as a demonstration site and research area.[6][7]

Pollinator plants

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Researchers are monitoring the site for pollinator plant effectiveness and growth, insects, birds, and bats.[5] Multi-year research projects include: Pollinator Habitat Aligned with Solar Energy (PHASE), and Sustainably Co-locating Agricultural and Photovoltaic Electricity Systems (SCAPES).[7]

Out of the required 85 minimum points on the Illinois Pollinator Friendly Solar Site Act, the Solar Farm 2.0 scored 134 points and was officially designated “Provides Exceptional Habitat.”[8][9] Natural Resource Services designed the custom seed mix with over 21 native plant types. The site has over 6.5 million flowering plants and native grasses.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Solar Farm 2.0 (Ongoing) | iCAP Portal | University of Illinois". icap.sustainability.illinois.edu. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  2. ^ a b "UIUC Solar Farm 2.0: Ultra-Sustainable on-campus solar array - AASHE Campus Sustainability Hub". hub.aashe.org. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  3. ^ "Facilities and Services University of Illinois Urbana Champaign". Facilities and Services University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  4. ^ Gorman, Mark (2021-05-13). "University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Solar Farm 2.0 nearing completion". Solar Builder Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  5. ^ a b Tate, Travis (2021-05-07). "Findings at the Farm". INSIDER. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  6. ^ Ludt, Billy (2021-05-13). "Pollinator-friendly solar system completed at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign". Solar Power World. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  7. ^ a b Simmons, Ethan (2022-09-24). "UI's Solar Farm 2.0 now a hotbed for new research". The News-Gazette. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  8. ^ a b "FINAL STAGE OF ULTRA-SUSTAINABLE SOLAR FARM 2.0 PROJECT". Facilities and Services University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. 2021-05-13. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  9. ^ "Illinois Planned Pollinator Habitat on Solar Sites Scorecard". survey123.arcgis.com. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
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