Nexamp and TurningPoint Energy recently celebrated the commissioning of two community solar projects in Minonk, Illinois, built on a reclaimed former coal mine site in Woodford County.
The two projects have a combined capacity of 9.8 megawatts (MWdc), utilizing 16,950 solar panels across approximately 40 acres and sending energy directly to the ComEd grid.
Both projects are powered by 100% U.S.-manufactured modules and are certified brownfield sites under the Illinois Shines program, marking the first Illinois Shines community solar development in Woodford County.
The projects are among the first in ComEd’s system to incorporate Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS), a smart grid technology that monitors and manages distributed energy resources in real time to help balance load and manage variability on the grid.
“Standing on this former coal site today and seeing it continue its role in powering our communities is a powerful symbol of Illinois’ energy future,” said State Senator Chris Balkema, in a statement. “This Minonk community solar project demonstrates how we can build on our energy heritage while embracing new opportunities.”
The two projects are nearly fully subscribed with more than 650 unique participants, including approximately 200 low-income residential subscribers. Rush University Medical Center and the College of DuPage serve as institutional anchor subscribers, together accounting for 40% of the combined projects’ total offtake.
Developed by TurningPoint Energy and built, owned, and operated by Nexamp, the Minonk projects are the first collaboration between the two companies in Illinois.
Balkema continued, “I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind, and emerging technologies—because affordable, reliable energy is essential for lowering costs for families, attracting investment, and supporting quality jobs right here in Woodford County.”
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