Tunnel Hill Solar

Apr 2021 - Jun 2026

NOVI Energy has completed development of a 1,050 acre, approximately 150 MWAC solar PV facility in Illinois.

The project site is just outside the town of Vienna in Johnson County. It is currently farmed for various crops. The site has been acquired under a long- term lease agreement for solar electricity power generation with multiple landowners. All environmental and local permitting has been completed to construct and operate this project.

The selected technology is bi- facial solar modules with high efficiency PV cells that are optimized for utility scale solar photovoltaic projects. Central inverters will minimize operations and maintenance, and improve efficiency of the overall plant. We will use single- axis tracking systems that have been optimized for use with bi- facial panels to deliver high capacity factors without stretching the inverter ratio of the system.

The generated power will be stepped up to interconnect with Ameren’s 345 kV transmission system that traverses west of the site. For this interconnection, NOVI filed the interconnection application to join the process with MISO (Queue Position J2156). The project is expected to sign its Interconnection Services Agreement before 1st quarter 2027.

For this development, the NOVI team completed environmental studies. This includes a wetlands delineation, a threatened and endangered species review, and a cultural, archaeological, and historical review of the entire site. A topographical study was also completed. Tunnel Hill Solar was sold in 2nd quarter 2026 and is expected to start construction in 2027.

Services Used

Development, Greenfield Generation, Solar PV/Thermal
Johnson County, Illinois, IL, USA
Johnson County, Illinois, IL, USA