OSF HealthCare recently subscribed to 4.6-MW of Clearway Energy Group’s community solar projects in Illinois. Once operational, OSF HealthCare’s subscription will be equivalent to eliminating the annual carbon emissions associated with over 1,000 cars from the road each year, helping the healthcare ministry move toward its sustainability goals.
“Purchasing Illinois Community Solar energy is layered with benefits: it reduces OSF utility costs, it benefits rural communities where many of our medical facilities are located, it supports the state of Illinois’ move to carbon-free energy, and it is emblematic of OSF’s ongoing innovation and leadership in healthcare,” said Michael Keefe, Manager, Energy and Sustainability, OSF HealthCare.
OSF HealthCare’s long-term commitment will support the development and construction of three Clearway community solar projects in Ameren territory, along with additional subscriptions to several of Clearway’s ComEd projects. The projects are supported by the Illinois Shines Community Solar Program, which was designed as part of the Future Energy Jobs Act. Clearway’s community solar portfolio in Illinois will create more than 70 jobs during construction as well as permanent positions once operating and represents a $160 million investment in the state.
Clearway is the largest community solar provider in the U.S. This news comes on the heels of an earlier announcement that construction began on Clearway’s Illinois community solar portfolio, which includes projects that will serve OSF HealthCare.
Community solar allows customers to subscribe to a local solar project, receive credits on their utility bill and reduce their overall electricity costs. Commercial, industrial, municipal, and residential community solar subscribers in the ComEd and Ameren utility service territories will receive bill credits directly onto their utility bills.
Community solar will support Illinois’ goal of supplying 25% of overall electric sales with cost-effective renewable energy resources by 2025.
— Solar Builder magazine
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