The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has awarded a $100,000 grant to Springfield’s City Water, Light and Power (CWLP) to design a community solar program known as "Sunshine Savings." The initiative aims to develop a solar energy project that benefits low-income and disadvantaged areas by applying electric bill savings generated by a new CWLP-owned solar installation.
"I’m very excited to put a grant like this to work, which will empower our City utility to help people in need in Springfield,” said Mayor Misty Buscher. "To be able to transfer the advantages of solar energy to some of our community members who are in need will be a very rewarding and unique effort among local assistance programs.”
Community solar programs are renewable energy initiatives that serve multiple customers within a geographic area. Sunshine Savings will focus on creating a business model tailored to Springfield’s needs while ensuring that the financial benefits remain local. The grant from DCEO, part of its Community Solar Energy Sovereignty initiative, is designed to promote community wealth building through renewable energy projects.
Key tasks for the Sunshine Savings design phase include identifying potential sites, conducting assessments, engaging the community, and formulating participation models for residents.
CWLP Chief Utility Engineer Doug Brown highlighted the program’s potential to serve as a model for other municipal utilities. "To pilot an installation that adds community participation of new renewable energy but also keeps the benefits local to help those in need, without involvement of 3rd parties or private developers, is a bonus,” he said. "This is how public power, community utilities operate—incorporating programs and projects that keep benefits local to positively impact its customer-owners."
CWLP will seek City Council approval to formalize the agreement with DCEO and accept the grant funding. Upon approval, the utility plans to hire a contractor to develop the program, with the design phase expected to conclude by Summer 2025. Further funding will be needed to build and install the solar array, which would then provide direct financial relief to low-income CWLP customers.
CWLP partnered with The Faith Coalition for the Common Good and Sustainable Springfield on the grant application. Rosa Harper-Davis, Community Organizer for The Faith Coalition for the Common Good, expressed enthusiasm for the project.
"One of the key outcomes we look forward to is progress towards achieving equity and building wealth within low-income households with this renewable energy investment,” she said. "We are very proud to partner with CWLP in this work and to assist in bringing public engagement and participation for a successful community solar project.”