Illinois Solar Project Powers Homes and Funds Student Scholarships

The installation, operated by New Energy Equity, generates 8.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Beyond the environmental footprint, the partnership offers the Harlem School District a dual financial advantage: the district collects annual lease payments for the land use and secures utility bill credits that will help offset energy costs across its nine schools for the next 25 years. This model allows the district to bypass traditional taxpayer-funded construction costs.

During the June 24 ceremony, Superintendent Terrell Yarbrough highlighted the project as a blueprint for community-focused infrastructure. New Energy Equity also debuted a scholarship program, pledging $10,000 annually for the project's duration. The inaugural recipients, four seniors from the Harlem High School Class of 2026, were honored at the event for their academic and athletic performance. Local ComEd customers remain eligible to subscribe to the project, allowing them to lower their own electricity bills through the credits generated by the site.