However, the Yeoman Solar Project represents a new direction for the city, one that brings new challenges and opportunities. The project not only provides clean energy to the community but also transforms a once contaminated Superfund site into a valuable asset for the city.
The initiative to build a solar farm on the Yeoman Creek Landfill site was a collaborative effort between the school district, the city, and various companies involved in the cleanup. The decision to pursue this project was driven by the limited options for the site, which was deemed unsuitable for other developments due to its history as a dumpsite for industrial and municipal waste.
With the completion of the Yeoman Solar Project, the site that was once vacant and off-limits is now producing renewable energy for over 1,000 households and the local school district. The project not only provides financial benefits to the district through lease payments and energy savings but also serves as an educational tool for students.
The school district, which serves a diverse student population, sees the project as an opportunity to educate students about clean energy and potentially prepare them for future careers in the industry. The integration of solar power into the curriculum and the visible presence of solar panels on school buildings promote sustainability and environmental awareness among students.
While Waukegan has a history as an industrial hub with environmental challenges, the Yeoman Solar Project represents a step towards a cleaner and more sustainable future for the city. By repurposing a contaminated site for renewable energy production, the project showcases how solar power can not only benefit the environment but also the community in terms of cost savings and educational opportunities.
The community organization Clean Power Lake County and local activists have been advocating for a just transition for Waukegan, focusing on providing economic opportunities and renewable energy benefits to residents who have long suffered from pollution in the area. One way to achieve this transition is by installing solar panels on brownfield sites, which are areas that are too polluted for housing or other types of development.
Solar energy is a great fit for brownfield sites, such as the Yeoman Creek site in Waukegan, where residential use is prohibited due to Superfund remediation. However, there are challenges associated with installing arrays on landfills or other remediated areas. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reviews solar developers’ plans for Superfund sites to ensure that construction won’t damage caps over contaminated soil or release pollutants.
Even tasks as simple as mowing the grass below solar panels can pose risks when a landfill lies underneath, as the grass helps prevent erosion. A new Illinois law that is awaiting the governor’s signature creates a rebate for community solar paired with battery storage. While batteries may be too heavy to locate on a landfill, companies like CleanCapital are exploring putting them on firmer ground nearby.
CleanCapital has experience developing solar on brownfields and landfills in other states and believes that community solar should be built on more closed landfills across the nation. In Illinois, robust incentives for community solar have led to the development of over 700 projects totaling over 1,800 megawatts through the Illinois Shines incentive program. The Illinois Power Agency procures solar built on brownfields, and the Illinois EPA provides low-interest loans and other resources for brownfield redevelopment.
Community solar makes clean energy accessible to people who can’t or don’t want to install solar on their own homes, like Waukegan resident Amador. He has recruited family, friends, and church members to subscribe to the Yeoman Solar project, which will cover over 90% of a household’s energy needs. Subscribers like Amador expect to save money through their subscriptions, which can help alleviate financial burdens in a difficult economy.
Yeoman Solar is the largest community solar array in the territory of ComEd, the utility that serves northern Illinois. The project represents a significant step towards a cleaner and more sustainable future for the Waukegan community, providing both environmental and economic benefits to residents who have long been impacted by pollution. CleanCapital has recently completed two landmark development projects in Illinois and Maryland, specifically focusing on brownfield solar projects. These projects have been praised by ComEd for their ability to reduce the amount of energy needed from the utility. This not only benefits the environment by promoting clean energy sources but also helps in reducing the strain on the existing energy infrastructure.
While these projects are open for subscription to any ComEd customer, CleanCapital is making a conscious effort to prioritize outreach to residents of Waukegan. This strategic decision is aimed at benefiting the local community and providing them with an opportunity to actively participate in sustainable energy initiatives.
Waukegan resident, Amador, believes that these projects represent a new path for the city. With a history of pollution, coal plants, and disinvestment, communities like Waukegan are in need of projects like these to revitalize and prioritize their well-being. By encouraging residents to ask questions, attend meetings, and educate themselves about these projects, Amador hopes to empower the community to save money and strengthen their collective impact.
Participating in these solar projects not only benefits the individual subscribers but also contributes to a larger movement towards clean and renewable energy sources. By coming together and actively engaging in sustainable initiatives, communities like Waukegan can pave the way for a brighter and more environmentally-conscious future.
