SAN FRANCISCO and CHICAGO \u2013 Clearway Energy Group (\u201cClearway\u201d) announced today the completion of its first Illinois community solar farm, expanding access to local and affordable renewable energy in the state. Clearway will energize the 3 MWdc Southland Solar Farm, just outside of Kankakee, and will activate eight more community solar farms in the coming months.<\/p>\n
Community Solar is a new model of clean energy development for Illinois that allows individual households, small businesses, and commercial customers to subscribe to a solar farm and receive energy credits that reduce their utility supply charges. Each of Clearway\u2019s Illinois solar farms is subscribed to roughly 350 residential customers, with over 3,000 residential customers subscribed to these first nine projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thrilled to activate our first community solar farm in Illinois in time for Earth Day and bring more renewable energy choices to residents,\u201d said Valerie Wooley, Vice President of Origination at Clearway. \u201cWhile it\u2019s only the beginning, these initial sites represent a commitment to local solar power among residents, municipalities, businesses, universities, and more, while helping customers save money as they choose renewable energy. We thank all those who are coming together to tackle the climate crises and become a community that invests in local clean power.\u201d<\/p>\n
The nine community solar farms coming online this spring through early summer are part of Clearway\u2019s larger Illinois portfolio of 19 community solar farms totaling nearly 60 MWdc. Combined, these projects will generate enough renewable energy to offset the power of 11,000 homes or emissions from over 14,000 vehicles each year.<\/p>\n
Constructed on unused farmland, the community solar farms are subscribed to a mix of residential and commercial customers, including Northwestern University and OSF HealthCare. Community solar subscribers will earn monthly solar bill credits that reduce their utility supply charges, creating a transparent savings program that enables the continued development of solar and advances Illinois\u2019 goal of reaching 25% renewable energy by 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur partnership with Clearway underscores Northwestern\u2019s commitment to sustainability and supports renewable energy development in Illinois,\u201d said Greg Kozak, Director of Sustainability at Northwestern University. \u201cAs Clearway\u2019s anchor subscriber here in Illinois, we\u2019re proud that our long-term financial commitment gave Clearway the financial certainty needed to move these projects from concept to reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe entry of OSF HealthCare into a renewable energy purchasing agreement with Clearway is a significant achievement that puts our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability into action,\u201d said Michael Keefe, Manager, Energy and Sustainability, OSF HealthCare. \u201cPurchasing Illinois community solar energy is layered with benefits: it reduces OSF utility costs, it benefits rural communities where many of our medical facilities are located, it supports the state of Illinois\u2019 move to carbon-free energy, and it is emblematic of OSF\u2019s ongoing innovation and leadership in healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur home had too much shading for rooftop panels, so we opted for a community solar subscription,\u201d said Clearway residential subscriber Tracey McFadden. \u201cCommunity solar was a more convenient way to support renewable power, and we liked that the program generated local solar right here in Illinois. It was easy to sign up and we\u2019re looking forward to the benefits of the program, but mostly, it feels good to help make a difference with clean energy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the Illinois Shines Program, community solar drives significant workforce and local economic benefits. Clearway\u2019s 60 MWdc portfolio in Illinois created at least 150 jobs through the engineering and construction process as well as several permanent jobs to operate and maintain the sites.<\/p>\n
Clearway is the market leader in community solar with more than 200 MW of projects nationwide serving over 20,000 customers and an Illinois portfolio that represents a $160 million investment in the state. Last year, Clearway closed financing on three major community solar funds totaling more than $200 million in market value.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Clearway Energy Group (\u201cClearway\u201d) announced today the completion of its first Illinois community solar farm, expanding access to local and affordable renewable energy in the state. Clearway will energize the 3 MWdc Southland Solar Farm, just outside of Kankakee, and will activate eight more community solar farms in the coming months.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"template":"","acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n