Through the Nexamp solar project, Starbucks will purchase electricity coverage for 170 Illinois stores.

Starbucks has entered into a new solar power partnership to help power its stores in one of America’s largest states.

The coffee giant is partnering with Nexamp as a long-term renewable electricity purchaser, anchoring the deployment of more than 40 Megawatts of solar energy in Illinois communities. The six new community solar projects being added to Nexamp’s Illinois portfolio will provide significant electricity savings to more than 1,100 local residents who subscribe within the ComEd and Ameren utility territories.

Through the Nexamp solar project, Starbucks will purchase electricity coverage for 170 Illinois stores. This builds on the 340 company-operated Illinois stores already powered by wind energy. Starbucks began buying renewable energy in 2005, achieving 100% coverage for U.S. company-operated stores in 2015.

“Starbucks is committed to our environmental promise to give more than we take, and we have a long history of renewable energy projects that bring clean energy to more communities,” said Michael Kobori, chief sustainability officer at Starbucks. “We’re proud to support Nexamp’s efforts to bring community solar into areas where it can have the most impact and make savings opportunities available to community members.”