Solar Power

Illinois’ energy demand will outmatch its supply by 2030, according to a Power Bureau study. That's why some lawmakers are trying to end a 40-year moratorium on the construction of large-scale nuclear reactors.

The Ecology Action Center in Normal urges Bloomington-Normal residents to stay in the municipal electric aggregation program even with hefty rate increases coming this summer.

The county will take proposals that award a maximum of $50,000 to each fire protection district.

The McLean County Board approved a $3.2 million contract to renovate the 50-year-old nursing home, and address alternative energy projects and other matters.

The head of a local Bloomington-Normal solar installation company said state and federal incentives make Illinois one of the strongest to go solar.

Representatives from solar energy companies have been spotted making door-to-door sales in the Bloomington-Normal area. Not really.

Illinois State University’s Solar Car team came away with two top three finishes at two prominent solar car races. Third place at both the Formula Sun Grand Prix and the American Solar Challenge are milestones for ISU.

There are several reasons why the Town of Normal will pay for a study of how sturdy its three parking decks are. One of them is to see whether solar arrays can go on the roofs to see if the decks will bear the weight.

Efforts are ramping up at the state and federal levels to create more green energy infrastructure. There’s a lot in the federal Inflation Reduction Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois to stimulate creation of infrastructure, and advocates are increasingly trying to get public buy-in of what will change the landscape — sometimes literally.

Most solar panel projects in Normal have been roof mounted so far but there is potential for more ground mounted units like the one the council approved this week for Grace Church on Hovey Avenue.