About the Tool

This tool was created to facilitate decision making regarding solar development on IDOT properties. The tool addresses the technical and financial feasibility of utilizing solar panels at any IDOT property. In addition to assessing the suitability of each site for solar (based on site conditions and administrative constraints), the tool also proposes a solar array size to meet electrical consumption at the site, and estimates the cost of this solar array.

The tool has six maps: 1) Office and Maintenance Yards, 2) Rest Areas and Welcome Centers, 3) Open Lands, 4) Interchanges, 5) a Combined Map of all facility categories, and 6) a Suitability Map Viewer that shows technical solar suitability results across the state and may provide useful localized context for the suitability ratings of IDOT sites.