Summit Ridge Energy has completed a 1.62-MW community solar project in Melrose Park, Illinois. The rooftop system was developed in collaboration with with LBA Logistics, a full-service real estate investment and management company, and Black Bear Energy, a commercial buyer’s representative specializing in onsite renewable energy.
Hosted on an industrial building owned by LBA, the Melrose Park installation was made possible through the Illinois Shines Adjustable Block Program and participates in the Traditional Community Solar (TCS) program.
The rooftop solar project sits within both an Illinois Environmental Justice Community (EJC) and a federally designated Energy Community. Illinois designates EJCs as areas where residents face a disproportionate burden of environmental harm, typically due to a legacy of heavy industrial activity, air and water pollution, and underinvestment in infrastructure. The Illinois Shines program prioritizes such areas, aiming to expand access to clean energy and associated economic benefits.
In addition to delivering affordable energy, the project creates local jobs during construction and maintenance, strengthens Illinois’ electric grid through reliable distributed generation, and earns a Rooftop Adder under Illinois Shines, an incentive for utilizing existing rooftop space instead of undeveloped land.
“Illinois has become one of the most exciting community solar markets in the country,” said Brent Buchberger, VP of Project Development at Summit Ridge Energy. “The Illinois Shines program is working – bringing affordable, locally generated energy to communities that have historically shouldered the burden of pollution without sharing in solar’s benefits. With LBA and Black Bear Energy as partners who share our long-term commitment, this rooftop project in an Environmental Justice Community is a strong example of what’s possible. We’re proud to see it energized and look forward to many more.”
This project represents the latest milestone in a decade-long partnership between LBA and Black Bear Energy that began in 2015. The teams have collaborated on a broad portfolio of community solar projects, including 17.5 MW across four Maryland industrial properties owned by LBA, with the solar systems developed, owned and operated by Summit Ridge Energy under the Maryland Community Solar Program. The program provides locally generated energy at reduced rates to Maryland residents under the Maryland Community Solar Program. Additionally, LBA recently energized two Illinois properties totaling 5.5 MW of community solar, including the 1.62-MW Melrose Park facility.
“How we own and operate our assets reflects our responsibility as long-term owners and the value we strive to create in every community where we do business is approached with thoughtful, long-term planning,” said Michelle German, Vice President of Portfolio Operations & Sustainability at LBA. “By hosting community solar on our industrial rooftops, we’re expanding local energy access to LMI households and supporting job creation in the surrounding community. This is not part of a standalone effort, but part of how we approach ownership and operations every day.”
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