en.Wedoany.com Reported - New Energy Equity has commissioned a 5.5 MW community solar project in Machesney Park, Illinois, developed in partnership with the Harlem School District. The project is built on land owned by the school district.

New Energy Equity, a wholly owned subsidiary of ALLETE, focuses on developing, constructing, and owning solar projects to generate reliable energy and broad economic value. The project is expected to produce 8,300 MWh of clean energy annually, enough to power approximately 1,002 Illinois households. A celebration for the project's energization was held on June 24, and local ComEd customers can register for community solar to receive credits on their electricity bills based on their share in the project.

For the Harlem School District, this initiative incurs no construction costs for taxpayers. By leasing the land and subscribing as a community solar participant, the district will receive annual lease payments and electricity bill credits over 25 years, helping offset energy costs for its nine schools. Additionally, the project establishes a new scholarship program funded by New Energy Equity, awarding approximately $10,000 annually to Harlem School District students over the project's 25-year lifespan. Kyle Marchesseault, Vice President of Marketing at New Energy Equity, stated that the project benefits the district through lease revenue and electricity savings, while also supporting four students through scholarships.

Illinois' solar industry is experiencing rapid expansion, with the state's installed capacity exceeding 6,187 MW across more than 120,000 projects. Solar development is supported by policies such as the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) and the Adjustable Block Program, which allows the state to pay for renewable energy certificates, reducing upfront costs for solar installations. According to statistics, New Energy Equity has successfully developed over 600 MW of solar projects across 16 states.