Solar Alliance Energy announced it has submitted a 1-MW commercial solar project proposal to the Illinois Power Agency. This is in response to the State’s recent Wind and Solar Procurement Request for Proposals. In support of the bid application, the city of Murphysboro, Illinois, has partnered with Solar Alliance and signed an MOU for the 1-MW solar project. The purpose of the MOU is to outline the process and responsibilities of the city of Murphysboro and Solar Alliance for the successful completion of financially viable solar project, as a part of the “Renewing the Murphysboro community through Green Energy jobs” initiative. The approximate capital cost of the project is US $1,720,000, which represents the top line revenue to Solar Alliance minus costs of goods. Final revenue projection and profit margin would be determined after final design and the award of a REC contract from the RFP.

The city of Murphysboro and Solar Alliance have identified a project site and have completed the initial design of the project, which would provide low cost, clean electricity to the city of Murphysboro. The goal of the project is to support revitalization of the city of Murphysboro through solar project development, clean energy training programs and a plan to attract new business to the area.

“Solar Alliance is proud to be partnering with the city of Murphysboro on this important project,” said chairman and CEO Jason Bak. “Solar energy can serve as a vehicle for change, helping transform communities burdened with high energy costs and high unemployment into centers of innovation, prosperity, and hope.”

“I am excited to help facilitate this project in Murphysboro and I am confident that the proposal submitted by Solar Alliance to the state of Illinois will be successful,” said Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens. “The progress to this point is only a beginning, but it is also a testament to what bi-partisan governance, public-private partnerships and working together can accomplish.”

The deadline for RFP proposal submissions was August 7, 2017. Successful proponents will be notified on August 14, 2017 and then will have until September 12, 2017 to finalize a contract with the appropriate utility. Regardless of the success of the project in the Illinois RFP, Solar Alliance and the city of Murphysboro are committed to working together to move the project forward.