MCLEAN COUNTY (25News Now) – A new community solar farm is now operating in McLean County, with developers saying the project will expand access to solar energy for income-eligible households.
PureSky Energy and Ecology Action Center announced their McLean 1 Community Solar project has reached full operation. The 1.98-megawatt direct current solar farm is PureSky’s first project to launch in Illinois.
The project, located along Interstate 74 near Downs, was developed through the Illinois Solar for All program, a statewide initiative aimed at expanding access to solar energy for income-eligible households, nonprofits and public facilities.
Unlike traditional rooftop solar, community solar allows people to subscribe to a solar project without installing panels on their own property.
“It allows people who don’t have the ability, the interest, the finances or perhaps the right kind of house to put on regular solar,” Ecology Action Center Executive Director Michael Brown said.
“It allows people to subscribe to solar instead and get a lot of the benefits, as well as some discounted electricity rates.”
Through Illinois Solar for All, participating subscribers receive guaranteed savings equal to 50% of the value of their solar credits. Those credits are applied monthly to help reduce participants’ electricity costs.
The solar farm includes approximately 3,364 panels and is expected to generate about 3.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. PureSky mentioned in a press release that they estimate that the power is equivalent to the annual electricity use of about 439 households.
Over the project’s expected 30-year lifespan, the teams estimate customers will collectively save about $5.4 million. The company says the estimate is based on projected annual production and the estimated value of solar credits.
Residents under the income-based plan will receive 50% off on their bills, while residents not on the plan will save 10% on their bill.
“We’re all for promoting these things, we want to see more clean and renewable energy for our community. And, where we can help local residents save money on their utility bills ofcourse that’s a no brainer,” said Brown.
PureSky and Ecology Action Center said the project will also contribute to McLean County’s tax base and use pollinator-friendly land management practices.
Illinois residents who meet the program’s income requirements, which is 80% of the state’s median income, and have Ameren as a provider, can enroll by either contacting PureSky Energy or visiting pureskyenergy.com. Subscribers receive monthly solar bill credits that automatically reduce their electricity costs.
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