COMMUNITY SOLAR IN ILLINOIS

Illinois community solar

in development

Installing solar panels for low-cost electricity is an excellent choice for many homes and businesses. However, rooftop or on-site systems aren't always available options. Scenarios such as rental properties, multi-family and corporate buildings, low- and moderate-income families, and others prevent many from participating in and receiving the benefits of clean energy.

Community solar projects support the advancement of expand 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.

Aerial view of a large solar panel farm surrounded by green fields and trees. In the background, there are residential areas with houses and roads, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a cloudy sky.

18 MW community solar

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Enough clean energy to power 4.5K homes annually

Located in St. Clair, Winnebago, Coles, and Livingston, IL

A community solar project produces electricity for hundreds or even thousands of nearby homes and businesses. Residents and companies can join a community solar project by subscribing to a portion of the solar project’s monthly output.

The energy generated from the community solar array is often discounted compared to typical utility company rates. As a result, subscribers may have the opportunity to lower their electricity bills. With community solar there is no upfront investment and allows for flexibility when you move within the same electric utility territory.

Once you join a community solar project, there is no interruption to your service, and you will continue to receive your electric bill. Utilities will show participation in a community solar project in one of two ways: you will receive your standard electric bill displaying your share of the project's production as community solar credits and the utility will automatically deduct your subscription payment -- showing the overall savings in one bill. Otherwise, you will receive your normal electric bill, in addition to a second statement showing only the community solar subscription. These two bills combined will show the overall savings on electricity costs.

Aerial view of a solar farm with rows of solar panels. A large machine with a robotic arm is stationed between the panels, attended by workers in safety gear. A smaller vehicle is parked nearby. The setting is outdoors on a dirt surface.

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

Icon of a gray cloud with 'CO2' written inside, surrounded by a gradient circle transitioning from purple to green.

295,425 MWh

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

Offering opportunities for savings

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

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

Estimated community solar project timeline

Aerial view of farmland with various green fields outlined in bright green. Roads intersect the fields, with a few buildings visible in the bottom right corner. The landscape includes patches of trees and a small body of water.

1-2 years

Project Preparation

Development, Siting, Permitting

Aerial view of a construction site beside a green field. A blue truck with a long yellow trailer is parked on a dirt path. Nearby, a yellow excavator and a red crane are positioned on wooden planks. The area shows visible tire tracks and scattered construction materials.

4-6 months

In Development

Construction

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30+ years

Operational

Operations

A vast solar farm with rows of solar panels stretches across a green landscape, with a backdrop of mountains under a partly cloudy blue sky.

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.

Meet your AES team

Paul-Charles Makarewicz

Project Developer

Breanna Plucinski

Development Analyst

Bayley Bellers

Permitting

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Katie Haarsager

Stakeholder Engagement Manager

Contact us

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

brightfuture@aes.com

801-413-3450