Employee-owned solar and energy storage developer ECA Power, Luminace, ComEd, construction partner Miller Bros., and local community leaders celebrated the energization of the 7.4-MWDC Rockford Community Energy Initiative (RCEI), a community solar project in Cherry Valley, Illinois.
Credit: ECA Power
“The Illinois General Assembly has spent the past several years passing legislation to encourage and incentivize renewable energy projects like this one,” said State Sen. Steve Stadelman. “It’s always exciting to work on legislation and then see that work translate into real development on the ground.”
Spanning 33.9 acres, RCEI generates enough electricity to cover energy needs for more than 1,100 ComEd customers. Through the community solar program, households, renters and small businesses in ComEd’s service territory can subscribe to the project and save on their electricity bills.
“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,” said Gil Quiniones, president and CEO of ComEd. “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.”
RCEI was built in a state-designated R3 area, bringing new investment to a community targeted for revitalization. As part of its community benefit agreement with the Village of Cherry Valley, ECA Power contributed $150,000 to support the buildout, operation and maintenance of an EV charging station.
“At ECA Power, we believe the success of a project should be measured not only by the energy it produces, but by the lasting value it creates for the surrounding community,” said Todd Fryatt, founder and CEO of ECA Power. “The Rockford Community Energy Initiative reflects that commitment by expanding access to affordable, locally generated energy while bringing meaningful investment to the region. 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.”
News item from ECA Power
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