CHERRY VALLEY — A new community solar project capable of powering more than 700 homes and small businesses has come online in the village.
The 7.4-megawatt solar farm spans nearly 34 acres east of the intersection of South Mulford and Sandy Hollow roads, just north of the U.S. 20 bypass.
Solar and energy developer ECA Power celebrated the energization of the Rockford Community Energy Initiative on Thursday along with representatives from project operator Luminance, ComEd, state Rep. Maurice West, state Sen. Steve Stadelman and Cherry Valley Village Administrator Jim Claessen.
Community solar projects such as this allow homeowners, renters and small businesses in ComEd’s service territory to subscribe and save approximately 10% on their electricity bills. That gives them access to renewable energy without installing their own rooftop panels.
“A lot of our small business owners, our up-and-comers, they are renting the building and they may want renewable energy. So it’s important for them to have a project such as this to help them fulfill that,” West said at the news conference.
ComEd said community solar projects are growing in the state. About six weeks ago, Rock Cut Solar, the first such project in the city of Rockford, celebrated its first year of operation.
“Northern Illinois is becoming a national leader in community solar, and projects like this are helping bring the benefits of clean energy to more families and businesses,” Gil Quiniones, president and CEO of ComEd, said in a news release. “We’re proud to work with ECA Power and Luminace to connect projects like this to the grid, and build a power system that can support continued clean energy growth across our region.”
As part of a community benefit agreement with Cherry Valley, ECA Power contributed $150,000 to support the construction, operation and maintenance of new electric vehicle charging stations.
“We have a few places already targeted in the downtown area,” Claessen said of the charging stations. “With the help of Region 1 Planning Council, we’re going to make this happen.”
Todd Fryatt, founder and CEO of ECA Power, said the project should be evaluated not just on the energy it produces but on the lasting value it creates for the community.
“The Rockford Community Energy Initiative reflects that commitment by expanding access to affordable, locally generated energy while bringing meaningful investment to the region,” he said. “From supporting local revitalization to our partnership with the Village of Cherry Valley, we’re proud to deliver a project that will benefit this community for years to come.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
November 7, 2026
TrendingThings to Do
by Kevin Haas
November 6, 2026
FeaturedRock River CurrentNews815 NewsLocalRockfordTop Stories
by Kevin Haas
November 6, 2026
815 NewsLocalTop Stories
by Kevin Haas
November 6, 2026
TrendingRock River CurrentPodcastsThis Week in the Stateline Podcast
by Kevin Haas
0 0
#rockford news recap in 60 seconds (11/6)
Rock River Current 15 hours ago
3 0
Taste the Town | JC’s is a new burger spot in #rockford
Rock River Current November 3, 2026 1:52 pm
3 0
#rockford news recap in one minute (10/24)
Rock River Current October 24, 2026 3:57 pm
Stream Rockford Owned Locally Programmed Radio FREE!
“Stay Current. Business. Culture. Events. Lifestyle.”
Rock River Current is owned and operated in Rockford, IL by Mid-West Family Broadcasting-Rockford (Long Nine, Inc.), an Illinois-registered corporation.
November 7, 2026
November 6, 2026
November 6, 2026
November 6, 2026
November 6, 2026
November 6, 2026
November 6, 2026
November 5, 2026
November 5, 2026
November 5, 2026
November 5, 2026
November 5, 2026
November 4, 2026
November 4, 2026
November 4, 2026
November 3, 2026
November 3, 2026
November 3, 2026
November 3, 2026
November 3, 2026
© 2026 Rock River Current. All rights reserved
