June 4, 2026
Chicago electric company Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) has launched its new ComEd Breweries Pilot in Illinois, heralding the new program with a $30,000 distributed generation rebate for Chicago’s own Brewing revolution.
The program is intended to help small and medium microbreweries reduce their rising energy costs and focuses on equipment and processes specific to breweries, wineries and distillers, ComEd says. The company’s recently implemented pilot project takes a “customer-centric approach” to billing savings and energy management practices, with a focus on underserved communities in the Chicagoland area.
“As the costs of materials such as aluminum and ingredients continue to rise, ComEd saw an opportunity to help breweries cope with increasing financial pressures and changing consumer behavior through energy efficiency solutions tailored to their energy-intensive operations,” said Andy Plenge, vice president of strategy and energy policy for ComEd. “Breweries have long served as a gathering place for their communities.
“Today, owners are becoming more creative and innovative in the way they operate and attract customers, and we support these efforts by helping them reduce energy costs and meet the growing demand for sustainable practices.”
To take the heat off some bills
Soaring energy bills around Illinois have created strong headwinds for breweries in the craft beer capital of the U.S., ComEd says. Not only that, but increasing energy needs and customer demand for renewable energy sustainability have created a potentially perfect storm in the Land of Lincoln. The utility says the program’s success will be measured by how well it helps local businesses weather the storm.
“The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild is proud to have Revolution Brewing leading the way as a participant in ComEd’s Breweries Pilot Program,” said Katie Carrier, director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. “Programs like these create meaningful opportunities for breweries across Illinois to better understand their energy use, reduce operating costs and continue building a more sustainable future for Illinois craft beer.”
The Revolution Brewing solar panel now provides a total of 180 kW to the facility, accounting for approximately 20% of energy consumption. Not only will that generate approximately 158.5 MWh annually, but it will also help the Illinois brewery offset 176 tons of carbon emissions annually. The expansion makes the facility one of the largest brewery solar installations in the state.
ComEd’s rebates are available to small businesses in the alcohol industry at a cost of $300 per kW of generation capacity. The utility company ComEd Energy Efficiency (EE) Program offers rebates, rebates, facility ratings and other services and has helped customers save a combined $13 billion on their energy bills since launching in 2008.
Tags: ComEd, commercial solar, Illinois, project, utility
