Rochelle has a new activity: A Sustainability Forum has been started with the local businesses and service clubs.
In a time of snow storms and other disruptions it is quite timely to review how local energy and resource utilization can be
managed by Rochelle's unique model.
Resilience is part of sustainability and Rochelle's performance in difficult weather environments is another example of
what Rochelle offers incoming industries and commerical entities in the midwest's markets.
The solar plant is performing beyond expectations even in winter conditions.
A little update before end of the year;
The solar promotional event was very successful with about 60 participants from various entities.
A video of the whole project will be shared in presentations with service clubs and schools in the area. Tours have already been given of the plant and more are coming. Production is healthy and the first real snow cover came off in short time by itself. Area schools have announced great interest in RMU's Solar Plant.
We are also considering starting a Rochelle Sustainability Forum: So far Great support from community development, industries, service clubs and local schools. The goal of Rochelle Sustainability Forum is to connect interested parties for solutions for a sustainable future in Rochelle. A forum kickoff is targeted for January.
For the solar plant project see an updated in-house generated video:
See http://youtu.be/Tr0spqje3gs
The boring sampling for the larger plant (PPA based) at the city landfill looks promising so far. An RFI will be sent out when we have the geo report.
Best Regards and stay warm,
(Thank you for your tweets to us)
Just a short update to keep all of you updated on the coverage we got from the opening of the Solar Plant in Rochelle.
Rochelle's WRHL Newstalk 1060
http://www.wrhl.net/news/details.cfm?clientid=31&id=151328
Rochelle NewsLeader
http://www.rochellenews-leader.com/v2_news_articles.php?page=72&story_id=12550
WIFR - Rockford, Illinois
http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/Solar-Plant-Opens-in-Rochelle-281981961.html
Science Blogs
http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2014/11/11/build-a-solar-power-plant-to-help-run-a-water-treatment-plant/
WTVO Rockford Channel 17
Our treatment plant solar plant is done and will have a lights on ceremony November 7th at 11 am.
Come join us in Rochelle.
See our construction time lapse at:
http://www.rmu.net
Now we are starting the plans for a larger system at the landfill which is about 2 miles away from the Technology Park.
With the Bio-Mass plant at the landfill and this larger Solar Plant we will be providing the Technology Park facilities with
all renewable energy.
Our treatment plant solar plant is moving along with target light up of October 20th. We have planned it to be expandable for a potential add of more than 400 kW over the initial 315 kW. The cost per installed W is very good and we have a great contractor that did the Galena solar plant. We have realized additional assets Rochelle has in this space and will continue to maximize Rochelle's growth of renewable energy.