Sol Systems has announced the completion of its largest project to date—the 354 MW Eldorado Solar Project in Saline County, Illinois. Delivered in partnership with Nextracker, supplier of advanced solar tracking systems using mostly U.S. steel, and SOLV Energy, the U.S.–based construction contractor, Eldorado now stands as one of the Midwest’s most significant clean-energy builds.
Construction and Technology Highlights
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Tracking Systems: Nextracker supplied high-performance, field-adaptable trackers engineered for large-scale agrivoltaics.
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Domestic Supply Chain: Majority of steel and key components were sourced and manufactured in the U.S., shortening lead times and boosting local economic benefits.
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On-Site Workforce: SOLV Energy oversaw civil, mechanical, and electrical construction, coordinating hundreds of trade and technical jobs across multiple phases.
Agrivoltaics at Commercial Scale
A first of its kind in Illinois, Eldorado will combine utility-scale solar with row-crop agriculture following on the heels of Lightstar Renewables who celebrated their first agrivoltaics launch in New York this month as well.
Working with American Farmland Trust (AFT) and The Land Institute, the project will plant Kernza®, a perennial grain, beneath portions of the solar array. This research-driven agrivoltaics program will:
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Establish large-scale pollinator habitats to support biodiversity;
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Improve soil health with native and perennial plantings;
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Test row-crop performance under solar panels beginning Fall 2025.
Community Partnerships and Funding
Sol Systems has committed long-term funding and programs for:
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Eldorado High School (hands-on learning, micro-jobs, STEM integration);
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Food Works of Southern Illinois and other local nonprofits;
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University of Illinois Extension – Saline County 4-H;
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Prairie Rivers Network, Faith in Place, and the Southern Illinois Community Foundation.
These initiatives expand on a Power Purchase and Community Investment Agreement first established with Microsoft in 2020.
Factsheet: Eldorado Solar Project
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Project Name: Eldorado Solar Project
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Capacity: 354 MW (largest Sol Systems project to date)
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Location: Saline County (southeast Illinois)
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Developer: Sol Systems
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Construction Contractor: SOLV Energy
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Tracker Supplier: Nextracker (U.S. steel components)
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Agrivoltaics Partner: American Farmland Trust & The Land Institute
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Crops Under Panels: Kernza® (perennial grain)
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Community Beneficiaries:
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Eldorado High School
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Food Works of Southern Illinois
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University of Illinois Extension – Saline County 4-H
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Prairie Rivers Network
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Faith in Place
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Southern Illinois Community Foundation
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Research Start: Kernza® planting Fall 2025
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Ribbon Cutting: 2025, Eldorado, Illinois
