Cultivate Power has officially powered up the Bowes Solar project. Located on a 22-acre farm in Elgin, Illinois, this community solar initiative consists of two installations — a 4.975-MW site and a 4.25-MW site — that will generate electricity for the ComEd territory.
Cultivate Power’s Bowes Solar project deployed by Planted Solar.
Developing the Bowes Solar property required a specialized approach, since adjacent train tracks, high-voltage power lines, an irregular footprint and a corner wetland had previously deterred development. Cultivate Power’s team successfully adapted its design to fit these site-specific constraints, including using Planted Solar’s high-density racking technology to enable a higher megawatt density per acre.
“In Elgin, we are very deliberate about our land use planning and ensuring that our growth fits the nature of the community,” said Marc Mylott, community development director, City of Elgin. “After reviewing the proposal thoroughly, we determined solar was a great use for this property. Cultivate Power was willing and able to develop despite the site’s encumbrances, creating a productive use of the land that generates property taxes and local electricity with limited disturbance to the surrounding community.
To drive further community engagement and impact, Cultivate Power is directly investing $575,000 to support area organizations, including Elgin Community College; Food for Greater Elgin, a member agency of Northern Illinois Food Bank; Friends of the Fox River; We Care Solar; the Evolve Foundation; and Sesenergi Eco Solutions’ workforce training programs. The site will pay an estimated $2.1 million in property taxes over the project’s lifetime, with the majority directly benefiting School District U-46. During construction, the project employed over 75 individuals, including 49 union laborers.
Credit: Planted Solar
“Our goal on every project is to ensure clean energy delivers tangible, local value beyond the grid benefits,” said Noah Hyte, managing director and co-founder, Cultivate Power. “Whether it’s lowering electricity bills for local families, supporting Elgin schools and nonprofits or creating local construction jobs, Bowes Solar reflects our deep commitment to strengthening the communities where we operate.”
Supported by the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) and Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), the project brings significant utility bill savings to the region, with 580 low- and moderate-income households subscribed to save 20% on the supply charge on their ComEd bills. Three small businesses, two towns and a church are the larger subscribers to the project. Collectively, these subscribers will save $13.9 million on their ComEd bill over the next 40 years.
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