Peoria County, Illinois, recently celebrated the opening of its latest clean energy project, Jubilee Solar — the state’s first community solar project built on public school property. The 3-MW solar project is located on the campus of Brimfield Community Unit School District (CUSD) #309 and comes online on the heels of the passage of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act, which will help more projects like this to be built and benefit communities across the state.
“We were pleased to make this project happen, especially after learning of the savings it will provide the school,” said Chad Jones, Brimfield CUSD 309 Superintendent. “Our district will save more than $22,000 every year on its energy bills. That is a significant amount of money that can be redirected toward future capital projects and other enrichments to better the school and student outcomes.”
As a community solar project, local residents and businesses in Ameren territory can subscribe to the project and save up to 15% on their energy bills. This groundbreaking project qualifies under the Illinois Shines Public Schools category, which enables public schools across the state to host community solar projects, realize significant savings and extend those savings to the broader community.
Peoria County has consistently welcomed clean energy and is home to more than 2,400 solar installations, enough to power almost 9,000 Peoria County homes. The county and its residents recognize the benefits clean energy projects provide their local communities, and this project is another milestone in its growing clean energy portfolio.
Jubilee Solar was built using union labor under a tri-trade agreement, ensuring that clean energy investments create good-paying jobs and keep economic benefits in Illinois communities.
“Projects like Jubilee Solar are proof that clean energy drives economic growth and benefits local communities when unlocked by thoughtful legislation,” said Sen. David Koehler (46th Senate District). “I’m proud of the Village of Brimfield and the greater Peoria County for leading the way in Illinois’ clean energy. Thanks to the CRGA Act, we’ll see more projects like this developed across Illinois that create good-paying jobs, generate local tax revenue and strengthen the grid, all while delivering real benefits to local communities and savings for families and businesses.”
News item from Solar Powers Illinois
