Sunrise Energy Ventures, a Minnesota-based solar development company, will purchase a seventeen-acre parcel of land, so the firm can develop a solar farm, in Macomb, Illinois.

The currently farmed land, about 75 miles southwest of Peoria and 77 miles south of the Quad Cities, is located along East University Drive in a business park adjacent to an Ameren Illinois substation. Company officials said it is an ideal location for connecting directly to the electric grid.

Macomb has approximately 20,000 residents and is home to Western Illinois University, NTN Bower (maker of precision roller bearings) and a Pella Window factory.

Sunrise Energy Ventures will bring the first solar installation to Macomb, making renewable energy available to Ameren customers and others who wish to purchase solar power. The two (2) megawatt installation will generate enough power for approximately 300 homes per year. Sunrise Energy Ventures plans to begin construction on the solar farm within the next eighteen months.

The company worked with the city leaders to develop a mutually beneficial agreement for utilizing the city property for a solar installation. Mayor Inman said that the 17-acre lot was the last parcel available in the city's business park and the property has been underutilized since the business park opened in the 1990's.

"We are thrilled to bring solar to Macomb," said Dean Leischow, CEO of Sunrise Energy Ventures. "We know that solar makes communities attractive to businesses and individuals who are committed to clean energy sources."