The utility company is expected to finalize a contract today with Solexus Development, out of St. Louis, and Strata Solar, out of North Carolina. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2014. Until the final contract is executed, CU’s spending on the project will not be revealed, utility officials said.
The agreement is for Solexus to develop the project and for Strata Solar to construct, finance and operate the 4.95-megawatt system. The agreement covers 25 years, over which time the system is expected to produce about 9.6 million kilowatt hours per year — enough to power about 875 homes in Springfield.