Building Solar in the Illinois Winter
The Fox Metro North project in Montgomery, Illinois, was executed under tough winter conditions, with average temperatures around 35°F throughout much of the build. With snow, freezing wind, and limited daylight, the Sunstall team adapted its work routines to keep the schedule on track and ensure worker safety. To protect the crew, we constructed a heated tent on-site—providing essential shelter for breaks and planning sessions. These additional measures increased safety costs, but were critical in maintaining productivity and morale throughout the cold-weather build.
This OMCO fixed-tilt system was designed with performance and efficiency as the top priorities. Aesthetic considerations played a secondary role in this installation. While aesthetics are important to many clients—and we always aim to combine functionality with visual appeal—performance and long-term reliability were the driving factors in this particular case. Our crew worked accordingly, prioritizing precision, speed, and structural integrity to meet all project goals.
2,600
Hours of Work
December 2024
Construction Date
1.5
Size[MW]
Montgomery, IL
Location
Adapting to Elevated Structures
One of the unique challenges of this site was the unusual system height. Standard ground-mount equipment was not sufficient, so the team operated scissor lifts throughout the installation. These lifts required careful maneuvering on winter ground conditions, as well as strict adherence to safety procedures—adding layers of complexity to an already demanding build.
Built for the Midwest – in Every Season
Projects like Fox Metro North show what it takes to deliver clean energy infrastructure in regions with shifting weather and seasonal extremes. From summer heat to winter frost, our teams bring the same level of precision and professionalism to every job. Even in freezing temperatures, we don’t just get the work done—we deliver on quality, safety, and reliability, year-round.
