The Warren County commissioners received updates on the Split-Rail Solar District while meeting with company representatives Nov. 13.

The commissioners heard from Project Manager Matt Clausen and Site Manager Luke Williams from Invenergy, who is handling the Split-Rail project along with Karl Finke of Andrews Engineering, the local engineer hired by the county to monitor solar projects. 

Clausen began the discussion by noting that soon Invenergy would be turning the project over to Ameren Missouri who would take ownership of the project.

Clausen continued by stating that there were no major updates from landowners of the solar project. He said Invenergy has settled on a pollinator design, which is the plants to be placed around the solar array.

Williams said construction of the project is now complete. He said Invenergy performed a preliminary energization of the substation connected to the project. He said they are currently engaged in commissioning and testing of the racking materials and inverters on the project. He said tree planting began about two weeks ago and that work should be completed in about a month to a month and a half.

Finke told the commissioners that he felt everything was fine with the pollinators, some of which have been placed between the landscape screen and the fence. He said drainage tiles are also being placed throughout farm fields.

Clausen said that he anticipates the project will be fully operational by the second quarter of 2026, but definitely before July 1, 2026.