Summit Ridge Energy has completed a 1.62 MW community solar project in Melrose Park, Illinois. The roof system was developed in collaboration with LBA Logistics, a full-service real estate investment and management company, and Black Bear Energy, a commercial buyer’s representative specializing in on-site renewable energy.
The Melrose Park installation, hosted in an industrial building owned by LBA, was made possible by the Illinois Shines Adjustable Block Program and participates in the Traditional Community Solar (TCS) program.
The rooftop solar project is part of both an Illinois Environmental Justice Community (EJC) and a federally designated Energy Community. Illinois designates EJCs as areas where residents face a disproportionate burden of environmental damage, typically due to a legacy of heavy industrial activity, air and water pollution, and underinvestment in infrastructure. The Illinois Shines program prioritizes such areas, with the goal of expanding access to clean energy and related economic benefits.
In addition to providing affordable energy, the project will create local jobs during construction and maintenance, strengthen Illinois’ electric grid through reliable distributed generation and earn a Rooftop Adder under Illinois Shines, an incentive for utilizing existing roof space rather than vacant land.
“Illinois has become one of the most exciting community solar markets in the country,” said Brent Buchberger, VP of Project Development at Summit Ridge Energy. “The Illinois Shines program works: it brings affordable, locally sourced energy to communities that have historically borne the burden of pollution without sharing the benefits of solar energy. With LBA and Black Bear Energy as partners who share our long-term commitment, this Environmental Justice Community rooftop project is a strong example of what is possible. We are proud to see it re-energized and look forward to many more.”
This project represents the latest milestone in a decade-long partnership between LBA and Black Bear Energy that began in 2015. The teams have collaborated on a broad portfolio of community solar projects, including 17.5 MW across four LBA-owned industrial properties in Maryland, with the solar systems developed, owned and operated by Summit Ridge Energy under the Maryland Community Solar Program. The program provides locally generated energy at discounted rates to Maryland residents under the Maryland Community Solar Program. Additionally, LBA recently powered two properties in Illinois with a total of 5.5 MW of community solar, including the 1.62 MW Melrose Park facility.
“The way we own and operate our assets reflects our responsibility as long-term owners, and the value we seek to create in every community where we do business is approached with thoughtful, long-term planning,” said Michelle German, Vice President of Portfolio Operations & Sustainability at LBA. “By hosting community solar on our industrial rooftops, we are expanding local energy access for LMI households and supporting job creation in the surrounding community. This is not part of a standalone effort, but part of the way we approach ownership and operations every day.”
News report from Summit Ridge
