Conagra Brands Inc. recently announced that it has entered into a 15-year service agreement with SolAmerica Energy to place eight acres of solar panels on the property of the company's St. Elmo, Ill., facility.

The energy generated by the photovoltaic array will be equivalent to the amount needed to produce approximately 35% of all Wish-bone salad dressings as well as the Log Cabin and Mrs. Butterworth's syrups that are produced at the facility.

The two-megawatt system is being developed under the Illinois Shines initiative, a state-administered incentive program supporting the development of new solar energy generation in Illinois.  Under the program, Ameren Illinois will purchase the renewable energy credits from the system.

Work on the project is set to begin this winter, with completion slated for the spring of 2020.

"At Conagra Brands, we strive to be mindful of our impact on the environment," said Katya Hantel, director of sustainable development for Conagra. "Exploring renewable energy technologies is just one of the many ways the company is investing in a more sustainable future."

The project is being developed and installed by SolAmerica Energy, an approved vendor under the Illinois Shines program.

"SolAmerica is excited to partner with Conagra Brands to help bring large-scale renewable energy to Illinois," SolAmerica Energy chief executive officer Stan Allen said. "Our shared desire to pursue a project that would be both financially and environmentally beneficial was a recipe for success in bringing the deal together."

As part of its broader commitment to environmental leadership, Conagra is also exploring renewable energy technologies at other facilities within its network.