Standard Solar has acquired two community solar projects in Illinois from Cenergy Power.

The two community solar gardens in the City of Zion and Kankakee County, totaling more than 9 megawatts (MW), will provide affordable, renewable energy to local residents and businesses while advancing Illinois’ ambitious clean energy goals, which include achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2050, with interim targets of 40 percent renewable energy by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

These acquisitions expand Standard Solar’s presence in the state, bringing its owned, operational, under-construction, and contracted projects to more than 150 MW.

The 2.53 MW solar array in Zion features fixed-tilt technology and is expected to generate approximately 3,705 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean energy in its first year of operation. Another system, a 6.65 MW installation in Kankakee County, will produce approximately 10,507 MWh in its first year. Both projects are scheduled to be completed in early 2026.

“Illinois is an exciting and growing market for community solar, and we are pleased to expand our footprint in the state with the acquisition of these projects,” said Megan Byrn, Vice President of Business Development, Standard Solar. “Mid-sized distributed generation (DG) solar arrays like these are critical for balancing the grid, improving land management and strengthening US energy dominance. These projects will not only provide local communities with lower energy costs but also put more clean power on the grid, helping to meet increasing electricity demand.”

Cenergy Power developed the projects, and Standard Solar will own and operate the arrays to ensure long-term energy cost savings for subscribers.

“The successful development of these community solar projects reflects our commitment to expanding renewable energy solutions in Illinois and to our local community partners in Illinois,” said Chad Chahbazi, Senior Vice President, Project Development at Cenergy Power. “We are excited to work with Standard Solar to bring these projects to completion and deliver economic and environmental benefits to local communities.”