Naperville has been selected by the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency to be part of an initiative to increase the use of solar power in Illinois communities.

The Illinois Municipal Electric Agency is a non-profit organisation that currently supplies Naperville and 31 other Illinois communities with power. Starting this summer, 3,500 solar panels will be installed at the Springbrook Water Reclamation Center.

The plant “could generate more than 1.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually,” according to the Naperville Sun. A kilowatt hour is equal to 1000 watts per hour of consumption.

This means that the panels are expected to produce enough power for an estimated 145 homes in the town. The solar panels will be installed at no cost to Naperville are supposed to be a functioning part of Naperville’s utility system towards the end of the year.

The Illinois Municipal Electric Agency has built two solar power plants in other communities — one in Rantoul and one in St. Charles. They plan to build similar plants in three other cities as well.

According to the Daily Herald, Mayor Steve Chirico approves of the project and believes it will help make Naperville stabler and more environmentally sustainable. Currently, a majority of Naperville’s power comes from coal, but this new opportunity could help move the town in a greener direction, Chirico explains to the Naperville Sun.

The location of the plant could also provide a unique opportunity for students at Neuqua and other local schools, as the Springbrook Water Reclamation Center is a part of some science field trips already. The addition of the solar panels would allow students learn about energy close to home.