Community Solar Booms In IL As Kane Co. Project Powers Up

ELGIN, IL — A 22-acre solar farm is now generating electricity in Elgin as developers continue a rapid expansion of community solar projects across Illinois, fueled by state clean-energy programs and growing demand for renewable power that does not require customers to install panels on their own homes.

Cultivate Power has powered up its Bowes Solar project, which includes two installations capable of generating a combined 9.225 megawatts of electricity for ComEd's territory, according to a news release. The project is one of a growing number of community solar developments coming online across Illinois.

Cultivate Power alone says it has developed 14 projects that are now operating and has another 20 under construction in the state.

Bowes is also a milestone for the company: It is the first solar project Cultivate Power has both built and plans to operate itself. Unlike traditional residential solar, community solar allows customers to subscribe to electricity generated by an off-site solar development and receive credits on their utility bills.

At Bowes Solar, 580 low- and moderate-income households have subscribed and are expected to save 20 percent on the supply portion of their ComEd bills, according to Cultivate Power. Three small businesses, two municipalities and a church are also among the project's subscribers, according to the news release.

Cultivate Power estimates those subscribers will collectively save $13.9 million on their ComEd bills during the project's expected 40-year life.

The development comes as Illinois continues implementing state policies intended to accelerate renewable energy development, including the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.

"Bowes Solar marks a significant milestone for us," Cultivate Power Managing Director and co-founder Brian Matthay said. "With this step, we're cementing our long-term commitment to Illinois."

Turning Difficult Land Into A Solar Farm

The Elgin property presented an unusual development challenge.

The 22-acre farm sits near railroad tracks and high-voltage power lines and includes an irregularly shaped footprint and a wetland at one corner, conditions Cultivate Power said had previously discouraged development.

The company redesigned the project around those constraints and used high-density solar-panel racking technology to generate more electricity from the available acreage.

Elgin Community Development Director Marc Mylott said city officials concluded solar was an appropriate use for a property that otherwise presented significant development challenges.

"After reviewing the proposal thoroughly, we determined solar was a great use for this property," Mylott said.

The project will also put the property on the tax rolls. Cultivate Power estimates Bowes Solar will generate about $2.1 million in property taxes during its operating life, with the majority going to School District U-46.

Construction employed more than 75 people, including 49 union laborers, according to the developer.

Cultivate Power is also contributing $575,000 to organizations and programs in the area, including Elgin Community College, Food for Greater Elgin, Friends of the Fox River and workforce-training programs.

ComEd officials said projects such as Bowes allow more locally generated renewable electricity to connect to the power grid.

For Cultivate Power, Elgin is part of a much larger Illinois buildout. With 14 projects already operating and 20 more under construction, the company is among the developers betting that community solar will continue expanding as Illinois moves toward its clean-energy targets.