Six Clearway Community Solar Projects Kick Off Construction Across Illinois

Pictured above: Cypress Creek community solar facility in New York

DURHAM, N.C. and SAN FRANCISCO – December 10, 2020 – Clearway Energy Group (“Clearway”) today announced that construction is now underway on six of its Illinois community solar projects, totaling 18 MW of Clearway’s 60 MW Illinois community solar portfolio. 

The projects are part of an 18-project, 54 MW portfolio sold to Clearway in 2019 under a master purchase agreement with Cypress Creek Renewables, which acted as the originator and early-stage developer for the majority of Clearway’s Illinois community solar portfolio. Clearway recently announced that four other Illinois community solar projects from this master purchase agreement have broken ground on construction as well. 

“This master purchase agreement marks a milestone for Cypress Creek in our quest to become a leading community solar developer in Illinois,” said Brian Matthay, Chief Investment Officer for Cypress Creek Renewables. “It’s important to Cypress Creek that solar power is affordable and accessible to all, and our focus on community solar in Illinois and other regions reflects our company’s commitment to equitable clean energy access -- a commitment that we share with our partners at Clearway.” 

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, representing a significant economic investment in the state. 

“Community solar is uniquely positioned to give everyone access to clean, cost-saving renewable power,” said Craig Cornelius, CEO of Clearway Energy Group. “We’re proud to lead the growth of this burgeoning sector and to partner with Cypress Creek to ensure that the twenty-first century energy economy is equitable and carbon-free. In the ongoing movement to address climate change, solar projects like these will help Illinois succeed in that effort.” 

Once complete in 2021, the six community solar farms will serve more than nearly 2,160 residential and commercial subscribers in the ComEd and Ameren service territories in DeKalb, Macoupin, McLean, and Will counties. The clean power generated from these six projects will be the equivalent of removing over 4,200 cars from the road each year or offsetting emissions from burning nearly 22 million pounds of coal.

Clearway Energy Group is the market leader in community solar with more than 200 MW of projects nationwide serving more than 15,000 customers. With community solar options in both ComEd and Ameren service territories, residents (including renters), businesses, and municipalities can support local solar power generation in Illinois by subscribing to a Clearway community solar farm with no upfront costs and without installing equipment on their property. 

Participants receive solar bill credits that reduce their electricity supply charges, with overall guaranteed cost savings. In May, Clearway announced that Northwestern University would become its first major institutional community solar subscriber in Illinois and receive bill credits generated from projects that include those announced today. 

Clearway is actively accepting new Illinois subscribers for its community solar projects that are both under construction and in development. To learn more, visit clearwaycommunitysolar.com.

About Cypress Creek Renewables 
Cypress Creek Renewables is powering a sustainable future, one project at a time. We develop, finance, own and operate utility-scale and distributed facilities across the country. With more than 10.3 gigawatts of solar developed and more than 3.4 gigawatts under management, Cypress Creek is one of the country’s leading solar and storage companies. For more information about Cypress Creek, please visit www.ccrenew.com. 

About Clearway Energy Group 
Clearway Energy Group is accelerating the world’s transformation to a clean energy future. With more than 4.7 gigawatts of wind, solar, and energy storage assets in 25 states and a development pipeline across the country, we are offsetting the equivalent of nearly 8 million metric tons of carbon emissions for our customers. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, CA with offices in Carlsbad, CA; Scottsdale, AZ; and Houston, TX. For more information, visit clearwayenergygroup.com. 

About Clearway Community Solar 
Clearway Community Solar develops, owns, and operates local solar farms, enabling households, businesses, and municipalities to support 100% renewable power, no roof required. A convenient and practical approach for going solar without property installations or upfront costs, Clearway Community Solar has nearly 100 solar farms active or in development in Illinois, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York. Clearway Community Solar farm subscribers support clean, local power while lowering their electric utility bill. To learn more about the program, visit clearwaycommunitysolar.com.