Frequently Asked Questions

Vesper Energy provides innovative solutions to today’s complex energy challenges. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vesper Energy is comprised of professionals who have collectively delivered more than 10 GW of renewable energy projects globally. Today, Vesper Energy’s development pipeline includes over 55 renewable energy and energy storage assets with a generating capacity of 17 GW; enough to power more than 2 million homes. Working with their customers, communities, and business partners, Vesper Energy develops, owns, and operates renewable energy projects across the United States with the goal to build a better energy infrastructure. www.vesperenergy.com/about 

We pursue projects where we have earned the trust of landowners and here in White County, our partners are excited to be a part of this project that will provide numerous benefits to their local community. Solar energy development on private land is a permissible use under Illinois state law. The landowners who entrust us with their land believe it's the best choice for their property and their family. They believe it's their right to choose what to harvest on their land and they've chosen to harvest the sun.

Solar energy makes for a great neighbor. It is quiet, can be hidden, and does not produce a smell. But don’t take our word for it, see what experts in the industry are saying about solar and property values: Source - SEIA and Source - ACP.

The Meadow Springs Renewable Energy project will create a new, long-term source of funding for the community, including significant benefits for area schools. The project will create jobs in White County during construction and operations and may hire a variety of vendors and local services. Meadow Springs Renewable Energy will also preserve farmland for future generations, making this project a great addition to the community. To learn more about solar energy benefits, please head to our Benefits page

Meadow Springs Renewable Energy is expected to create around 200 construction jobs, with a significant portion of the workforce being hired locally. Once operational, the facility will also support 1-5 long-term positions.

Meadow Springs Renewable Energy will be designed to retain the natural character of the community. We will work with a landscape designer to develop and implement a plan for evergreen-type vegetative screening for any project areas viewable from residential structures. Landscape screening is proven to minimize or eliminate visual impact of solar equipment.

Vesper Energy will adhere to all state and local rules regarding decommissioning to ensure the landowners and taxpayers are not impacted. Our lease agreements with landowners and local jurisdictions detail these obligations; including provisions to provide necessary resources to remove all equipment if the facility is decommissioned. Once the equipment is removed the land will be ready to farm as it will be in essentially the same condition it is today.

The vast majority of solar panels installed in the U.S. are still within their operational lifespans (typically 20-30 years). As such, cost-effective opportunities to recycle solar panels are limited. However, this is an issue the solar industry is working proactively to address, and as more solar panels reach end of life in the coming years, opportunities to recover and recycle the materials in solar panels will expand. Details on panel recycling can be found in the United States Environmental Protection Agency website, at https://www.epa.gov/hw/solar-panel-recycling.

It is unlikely that a serious event will happen at the site. However, a comprehensive emergency management plan will be created prior to construction. This will ensure safety personnel in the community are trained and able to respond appropriately.

No. Vesper Energy is committed to only using solar panels that meet or exceed environmental safety standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These standards ensure that during normal operations -- as well as in the unlikely event a solar panel is damaged -- the panels will not release any substances or materials that are considered hazardous under federal law.

Solar panels generate the most power in direct sunlight, but they can also produce power using indirect or diffuse sunlight – so they still work on cloudy days, and in fact, rain helps to keep solar panels operating efficiently by keeping them clean! Additionally, this project will be paired with energy storage. This allows us to store energy during peak solar production during the daytime and have it available during peak energy usage in the evening.

Yes! Solar panels work well in cold weather. Snow and ice are also generally not an issue – small amounts of snow are usually blown off by the wind, or snow may slide off on its own because the panels are tilted at an angle to capture the maximum amount of sunlight. Both help keep the modules clean throughout the winter season.