Solar and energy storage developer Nexamp has completed a community solar farm project in Illinois.
The 2.8 MW French Road Solar is located in Burlington in the ComEd service territory. The project is one of 20 Nexamp community solar projects operating or in development across northern Illinois.
The project features more than 7,000 solar modules. It is capable of offsetting the energy needs of approximately 400 average homes.
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Solar in Illinois is expected to more than double over the next five years to 3,712 MW of installed capacity, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. The solar market in Illinois is aided by a renewable portfolio standard that requires 25% of energy to come from renewable sources by 2025.
Legislation enabling community solar passed in Illinois in 2016 and was strengthened in 2021 by expanding the program to support more than 1.5 GW of capacity over the next decade.
The Biden administration wants 5 million homes to be powered by community solar projects by 2025, representing a 700% increase from 2021 capacity.
The outlook for community solar is improving, according to market analysts. On Feb. 8, energy research consultancy Wood-Mackenzie raised its 5-year forecast for community solar capacity in the U.S. to 4.5 GW, up by 9% from its earlier outlooks.
The revision was due to expanded community solar programs in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois, as well as new programs in Delaware and New Mexico.
