The project will directly serve Prysmian’s production facility, which manufactures copper medium-voltage cables for renewable energy applications and data center infrastructure. By supplying clean energy onsite, the system is expected to offset approximately 50% of the plant’s electricity needs—one of the largest dedicated distributed-generation projects in the region.
The installation includes more than 10,800 solar modules and a Tesla Megapack 2XL, pairing rapid-response storage with steady solar output to smooth onsite loads and reduce operational strain on the MISO grid. This type of behind-the-meter solar-plus-storage configuration is increasingly being adopted by energy-intensive manufacturers seeking to manage peak demand charges, hedge against price volatility, and address emerging sustainability reporting requirements.
According to recent reporting, U.S. commercial and industrial (C&I) facilities are accelerating investments in onsite energy systems to improve reliability as grid conditions tighten across multiple regional transmission organizations.
Northern Sun Energy said the project also advances regional workforce development efforts, having generated new trade jobs in the Du Quoin area during construction. The system will participate in the Illinois Shines program, administered by the Illinois Power Agency, which uses long-term REC contracts to support distributed solar deployment statewide. Illinois Shines has been a key driver of the state’s renewable energy growth since the passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).
Scott Pfaff, vice president of construction operations and managing partner at Northern Sun Energy, noted that the project represents a milestone for the company: “This project marks Northern Sun Energy’s expansion into the MISO market, a major milestone for our team,” he said. “Working on this site with Prysmian and our repeat client, PowerFlex, reflects what we’re here to do: deliver practical, well-engineered clean energy systems that support local industry, help manage grid demand, and build long-term energy resilience.”
The solar-plus-storage installation advances Prysmian’s commitment to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions 90% and achieve net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2035. As a major supplier of cables for renewables and data centers, the company faces rising demand from both sectors. Data center developers have significantly increased procurement of medium-voltage cable as hyperscale growth drives heavy interconnection and substation expansion across the U.S.
Paul Furtado, COO of Prysmian North America, said the project aligns with operational and sustainability priorities: “As we continue to produce essential cables for electrification and data centers, we are proud to partner with Northern Sun Energy and Powerflex to help produce these products using energy from this new solar array,” he said. “The solar farm at our Du Quoin facility will generate 50 percent of the energy required for production, enabling us to significantly reduce our overall power consumption while making vital improvements to the grid in a more sustainable way.”
MISO has experienced rising load pressures tied to electrification, industrial growth, and accelerated data center development. Midwestern grid operators are increasingly interested in distributed resources that can reduce peak demand and defer costly transmission upgrades. Behind-the-meter systems like Prysmian’s also support corporate resilience strategies by enabling operations to continue during grid disturbances or curtailment events.
