Wolf Creek Road and Old Illinois Route 13
Carterville, IL 62918
United States
The Southern Illinois University (SIU) leased and then purchased (1970’s) the former headquarters and administrative area for the Illinois Ordinance Depot which is adjacent to the Crab Orchard Wildlife refuge superfund site. SIU is now exploring redevelopment of the property as an agrivoltaics and ecovolatics RD&D facility to help supply the university's electricity needs, while also moving the needle on the university’s sustainability goals, supporting regional economic development needs and providing regional farmers with an option for an alternative route to revenues. The goal is to deploy a significant solar array and grow small areas of crops such as grapes, fruit trees and hemp, possibly among others under solar panels. KSU TAB is facilitating discussions with the Illinois EPA and EPA Region 5 to determine eligibility of the site for brownfields funding and services. KSU’s Partner - The Rocky Mountain Institute – will also be assisting SIU in identifying Department of Energy resources to develop this exciting project.