Illinois Governor JB Pritzker joined representatives from Nautilus Solar Energy and Power Sustainable to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the Highway 20 Community Solar Farm in Kane County. Â
Spanning 26 acres and containing 12,000 solar panels, the project has a capacity of nearly five megawatts (MW) with an expected annual generation of 10.7 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), enough to offset over 7,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.Â
The energy generated by the solar farm will be used to power nearly 600 low-income households, a local park district, and a commercial business, bringing the state closer to its goal of 100% clean energy by 2050.Â
The Highway 20 Community Solar Farm is supported by the Illinois Shines program with an $8.7 million REC contract for 200,000 renewable energy credits.Â
âIllinois has one of the most ambitious clean energy efforts in the entire nation, and weâre building our future around projects like the Highway 20 Community Solar Farm to accelerate the clean energy transition, revitalize communities, and create new jobs,â said Governor JB Pritzker, in a statement. âIn Illinois, we’ve incentivized tens of billions of dollars in private investment in renewable and clean energy development. At a time when energy prices are skyrocketing in part due to federal cuts and putting a real strain on working families, it is more important than ever to invest in cheaper, cleaner energy alternatives.â  Â
Nautilus Solar Energy continues to expand its presence in Illinois, as it is the community solar developerâs largest and fastest-growing market. Backed by Canadian asset management firm Power Sustainable, Nautilus has relocated its headquarters to Chicago, citing progressive clean energy leadership and rapid market growth. Â
The company plans to add 100 MW of new solar capacity in the state in FY2026, adding to its current portfolio of nearly 150 community solar farms across 12 states and serving more than 45,000 subscribers.Â
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