Conagra Brands Inc. has entered into a 15-year service agreement with SolAmerica Energy to place eight acres of solar panels on the company’s St. Elmo, Ill., facility property.
The energy generated by the photovoltaic array will be equivalent to the amount needed to produce approximately 35% of all Wish-bone salad dressings, as well as Log Cabin and Mrs. Butterworth’s syrups, which are produced at the facility.
The 2 MW system is being developed under the Illinois Shines initiative, a state-administered incentive program supporting the development of new solar energy generation in Illinois. Under the program, the renewable energy credits (RECs) from the system will be purchased by Ameren Illinois.
Work on the project is set to begin this winter, with completion slated for spring 2020.
“SolAmerica is excited to partner with Conagra Brands to help bring large-scale renewable energy to Illinois,” says Stan Allen, CEO for SolAmerica Energy. “Our shared desire to pursue a project that would be both financially and environmentally beneficial was a recipe for success in bringing the deal together.”
