COMMUNITY SOLAR IN ILLINOIS

Illinois community solar

in development

Community solar projects support the advancement of access to clean energy. Subscribers such as households, businesses, educational institutions, municipalities, and more are able to experience the same benefits of solar without requiring an on-site system.

AES' Illinois community solar proudly partners with four communities in the state of Illinois. Our outreach is currently expanding to eight prospective communities bringing affordable, reliable, and efficient energy options to Illinoisians across the state.

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18 MW community solar
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Enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 4,500 homes annually
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Located in St. Clair, Winnebago, Coles, and Livingston, IL
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AES develops a community solar project that is typically less than 5 MW and sited on 10-50 acres.

Subscribers participate in community solar as an easy way to save money on utility costs and support local renewables.

Subscribers will receive a credit on their utility bill for the portion of energy their community solar subscription produces each month

Our clean energy commitment

We are committed to responsible clean energy development that creates long-term value and positive impact for both the environment and local communities.

Two workers wearing hard hats walk between rows of solar panels in a field with green grass. The background features trees with autumn foliage in shades of orange and yellow under a clear sky.

Economic and environmental benefits

We believe in being a good neighbor, ensuring responsible clean energy development that benefits both the environment and local communities without burdening existing infrastructure.

 

Clean energy benefits local communities:


Long-term tax revenue to counties, towns, and school districts 
Job creation during construction and operation 
Local economic stimulus during construction 
Affordable, reliable, locally produced clean energy 
Improved air quality and reduced CO2 emissions 
Social impact funding to area community organizations and non-profits 
Non-permanent development and low-impact construction that ensures land can be sensitively restored to pre-project conditions at the end of the project’s life 

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295,425 MWh

Generating low-cost clean-air, fuel-free renewable energy

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Offering opportunities for savings

Offering opportunities for savings on monthly electric bills to a wide variety of project subscribers

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Providing a new, reliable revenue stream

Providing a new, reliable revenue stream for landowners, and tax payments for local governments

We lease the land, we don’t buy it.

Agricultural land is foundation of so many families and communities, and AES is committed to maintaining that for future generations.

Two sheep grazing on grass beneath solar panels in a field.

Pro-solar doesn’t mean anti-agriculture.

 

Combining solar with farming operations and making sure agricultural traditions stay within communities is something we prioritize. Crop production, livestock husbandry, sheep grazing, etc., are all examples of agriculture practices that can co-exist with solar fields. Approaches for agrivoltaics are determined by the intention of the project. For example, if crops are the main intention, solar can be used in small scales to provide shade to crops and reduce water needs while assisting with electric supply. If solar is the primary use, then sheep grazing can be added to provide vegetation management naturally.

 

The agricultural side of agrivoltaics can come from the landowner, a local farmer, a local university, or an independent third-party company. There are no set rules to the partnership structure, and AES works with each landowner to find the best fit for them and their needs.

 

Project resources

Solar lifecycle fact sheet
AES Renewables fact sheet
AES community solar fact sheet
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Sustainability Resources

Sustainability best practices

At AES, safety is our highest priority, and we’ve focused on improving lives for more than 40 years. As a leading innovator in energy solutions, sustainability is core to both our strategy and our culture. We are committed to responsible land use and incorporating sustainable best practices into the entire project lifecycle, contributing to building a domestic circular renewables economy and reducing foreign dependence.

Environmental and technical studies

We conduct a series of studies that ensure our projects are thoughtfully and responsibly designed.
  • Aquatic resources: Wetlands, Waterways, Floodplains Investigations
  • Endangered resources: Threatened and Endangered Species, Migratory Birds and Eagles, Sensitive Habitat Assessment, Land Use, Public and Conservation Land and Farmland Classification, 
  • Cultural resources: Pedestrian Surveys and State Historic Preservation Office Coordination. 
  • Drain Tile surveys
  • Geotechnical surveys
  • Phase 1 environmental site assessment
  • FAA Glint and Glare studies

Local partnerships

At AES, we understand that our success as a company is only as strong as our partnerships with the communities where we operate. That’s why we partner with communities, customers, state agencies, higher education, and other key stakeholders to understand how we can best work together to support sustainable social and economic development that complements the local geography and unique culture, to improve lives and build stronger communities.

Contact us

We want to hear from you! We appreciate your interest in AES’ Illinois Community Solar.