We are excited to work with Illinois landowners to offer the benefits of leasing 20-50 acres of land for the Illinois Community Solar program.
Leasing Land
Leasing land for Illinois community benefit programs can be highly beneficial. Here’s why:
Financial Benefits
Leasing can provide a steady and often more lucrative income compared to traditional farming.
Environmental Impact
Contributing to renewable energy helps reduce carbon emissions.
Community Support
Programs like Illinois Solar For All ensure equitable access to solar energy, benefiting low-income communities and providing job training opportunities.
Low Maintenance
Solar installations require minimal upkeep.
By participating, you not only gain financially but also support environmental sustainability and community development. It’s a win-win for both you and your community.
Community Solar in Illinois
Community Solar in Illinois started in 2016 when the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) was passed by the Illinois legislature. FEJA established the framework for community solar in Illinois and required the Illinois Power Agency to support the development of 400 MW of community solar by 2030. Substantial changes occurred in 2023, which further supports Community Solar in IL.
These changes are described below:
Increased Project Size Limit
The maximum size for Traditional Community Solar projects was increased from 10 acres to 40 acres of equivalent solar capacity.
New Project Category
A new "Community-Driven Community Solar" (CDCS) category was introduced for community solar projects up to 5 MW that meet certain criteria to provide more direct benefits to local communities. At least 5% of the program capacity is allocated to CDCS projects.
These changes increased community benefits, equity, and consumer protections within the Illinois Community Solar program while expanding project size limits and introducing new project categories and selection processes.
Illinois Solar For All
The Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) program was first established by the Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act in 2017. The program was later expanded by the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2021. The ILSFA program was establish to particularly target Illinois' most in need households.
Illinois Solar For All Program
✔ Specifically targets low-income households (at or below 80% of area median income)
✔ Provides rooftop solar installations and community solar subscriptions at no upfront cost
✔ Participants are guaranteed to save at least 50% on their solar credits compared to utility rates
✔ Prioritizes projects in environmental justice communities
✔ Funded by selling renewable energy credits from the projects
Community Solar Program
✔ Open to all residential and business customers, regardless of income level
✔ Customers subscribe to a portion of a large shared solar project
✔ Typically provides 10-20% savings on the solar portion of electricity bills
✔ No income requirements or guaranteed savings percentage
✔ Funded by customer subscription payments to project owners
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Illinois Programs in Summary
✔ ILSFA specifically aims to make solar affordable and accessible for low-income households through greater subsidies and guaranteed savings.
✔ Community Solar opens solar access more broadly but with more modest typical savings. ILSFA uses state funding while Community Solar is customer-funded through subscriptions.
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The two programs work in parallel to expand solar adoption across different income levels and communities in Illinois.