Residents of Illinois are now closer than ever to having access to solar energy without the need for rooftop panels. Clearway Energy Group (“Clearway”) and Clearway Community Solar announced on September 14, 2020 that four new Community Solar farms are now under construction in Illinois. The projects, which were originally developed by Cypress Creek Renewables, will serve over 1,800 residential and commercial subscribers in ComEd’s service territories including the greater Chicago area. These Community Solar farms represent 12 MW of Clearway’s 60 MW Illinois Community Solar portfolio. Northwestern University has already signed on to become Clearway’s first major Community Solar subscriber in Illinois and residential opportunities are now available as well.
Facts About Clearway Community Solar Development in Illinois
These Community Solar farm projects are supported by the Illinois Shines Solar Program, which is part of the Future Energy Jobs Act. The project will create more than 70 jobs available to Illinois residents during the construction phase and then ongoing permanent positions upon completion. This not only offers a significant economic investment for the state, but also brings a positive environmental impact as well.
The power generated from this portfolio will represent the equivalent of removing 12,000 cars from the road each year, planting 70,000 acres of forested land in the United States, or offsetting emissions from 60 million pounds of coal burned in non-renewable coal-burning power plants.
Who Can Sign Up For Community Solar?
Community Solar can be taken advantage of by businesses, municipalities, and Illinois residents. You do not have to be a homeowner to subscribe to one of Clearway Community Solar’s projects, because there is no rooftop required. This means that the solar farms offer a great opportunity for renters in the urban Chicago area to take advantage of renewable solar energy too. Residents can subscribe to a Clearway Community Solar farm with no upfront costs and without installing equipment on their property. Participants receive solar bill credits that reduce their utility supply charges, with overall guaranteed savings. *
Clearway Community Solar is actively accepting new subscribers for their Illinois projects and will have availability in both Ameren and ComEd service territories. It is easy to get started and you can even begin the enrollment process online. Why not get started on a greener tomorrow, today?
*Savings calculated as 20% on the value of the net metering credits generated by the residential solar subscription on the default supply service rate with the utility (ComEd or Ameren). Customers not on their utility default supply rate may not receive the same savings or any savings. Clearway is not responsible for utility delays in applying net metering credits.
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