Prologis Launches Into Giant Neighborhood Photo voltaic Rooftop Initiative In Illinois

Final Up to date on: 2nd August 2025, 03:21 am

Neighborhood solar energy is considered one of my favourite cleantech options. It’s useful in a number of methods, and might typically play that “Goldilocks” position of being “excellent” — not too huge, and never too small. It permits extra solar energy for extra people, and advantages from sure economies of scale to carry down prices — perhaps not as a lot as gigawatt-level utility-scale photo voltaic initiatives, however greater than dwelling rooftop photo voltaic initiatives.

What you don’t typically see is neighborhood photo voltaic initiatives and company business photo voltaic initiatives. Nevertheless, that appears to be what big world logistics actual property firm Prologis is engaged on. The corporate is getting a collection of huge rooftop photo voltaic installations and deploying them as neighborhood photo voltaic initiatives.

The primary neighborhood photo voltaic rooftop mission was launched this week in Franklin Park, Illinois. It’s the first of what are anticipated to be 45 such photo voltaic initiatives totaling 82 megawatts (MW). For some extra perspective, whereas neighborhood photo voltaic is getting fairly huge in Illinois (and another states), there are at present simply round 200 neighborhood photo voltaic initiatives within the Land of Lincoln. Including 45 extra is a big enhance for the sector.

“Greater than half of the power credit might be directed to income-qualified households, increasing entry to wash power in underserved communities within the Chicago space and past,” a press launch states.

The mission was launched by Prologis alongside ComEd, the area’s utility firm. “We’re proud to hitch ComEd to formally launch this mission, the primary of many neighborhood photo voltaic initiatives that our power crew is deploying throughout our Illinois rooftops,” mentioned Carter Andrus, Prologis’ Chief Working Officer. “Illinois is among the fastest-growing photo voltaic markets within the nation, and we’re excited to assist lead its momentum. For us, that is about greater than photo voltaic panels—it’s about utilizing our scale to make an actual distinction within the communities the place we function and convey the advantages of fresh power to extra folks throughout Illinois.”

Certainly. We love cleantech as a result of it cuts CO2 emissions and different air pollution, however when additionally it is used to assist socioeconomic points and inequity, it’s additional heartwarming.

“As we proceed to help the enlargement of photo voltaic throughout northern Illinois, new and deliberate Prologis rooftop photo voltaic websites promise to supply northern Illinois clients extra choices for decreasing their power prices through renewable power related to the grid,” mentioned Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd. “With dozens of extra initiatives within the pipeline, we’re seeing the impact of the pro-solar incentives put in place by Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration and the way they help a cleaner, extra equitable power future in our state.”

“Illinois policymakers have labored onerous on coverage that encourages companies like Prologis to develop and our power sector to broaden, particularly in renewable power,” mentioned Illinois Home Majority Chief Robyn Gabel, 18^th District. “It’s thrilling to see the fruits of CEJA, some of the expansive power payments within the nation come to fruition with important initiatives like this one, reinforcing Illinois’ management in neighborhood photo voltaic.”

“I’m joyful to face with ComEd and Prologis as we rejoice the launch of this neighborhood photo voltaic mission proper right here in Franklin Park,” mentioned State Consultant Norma Hernandez, 77^th District. “By leveraging underutilized industrial rooftops, we’re not solely increasing entry to wash, renewable power—we’re making certain that working households in our communities can straight profit from decrease utility prices and a extra resilient power grid. This can be a good, community-centered mannequin for the way we decarbonize equitably and sustainably. Thanks on your management and bringing this to the 77th District.”

Listed below are some extra particulars on this primary rooftop neighborhood photo voltaic mission from Prologis: “SunVest Photo voltaic, a nationwide developer and unbiased energy producer, designed the Franklin Park 3 rooftop neighborhood photo voltaic set up atop a 195,000-square-foot Prologis logistics heart. Prologis will personal and function the 1.56 MW neighborhood photo voltaic mission, which is able to serve largely residential clients, with the remaining neighborhood photo voltaic credit benefiting native companies.”

Lastly, right here’s a bit extra on neighborhood photo voltaic in Illinois and why that is changing into a much bigger and larger sector of the Illinois photo voltaic market: “The 2016 Future Vitality Jobs Act created Illinois’ neighborhood photo voltaic program, and the 2021 Local weather and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) made it stronger. Because the passage of CEJA, there was a 400% enhance in related neighborhood photo voltaic — 4x the capability of Neighborhood Photo voltaic that was put in in 2024 vs. 2023. ComEd expects to have 240 neighborhood photo voltaic websites on its system by the top of 2025, producing 520MW and powering about 71,000 properties.” I find it irresistible! That is the way in which to go. Kudos to Illinois for taking a lead on this, and now additionally Prologis for leaping proper in. I do know it helps Prologis’ backside line, but it surely nonetheless deserves a pat on the again for the perception, imaginative and prescient, and care.

Let’s let Prologis have the ultimate phrase on this, although. “That is the way forward for industrial actual property: enabling provide chains, strengthening power methods/infrastructure and serving to clients and communities thrive.”