A new three-megawatt community solar farm has opened on the Brimfield School District campus, making it the first solar project in Illinois built on public school property as part of a statewide renewable energy initiative.
Jubilee Solar, developed through the Illinois Shines Public Schools community solar project, is projected to offset the district’s energy costs by more than $22,000 annually.
“We were pleased to make this project happen, especially after learning of the savings it will provide the school,” said Brimfield Superintendent Chad Jones. “That is a significant amount of money that can be redirected toward future capital projects and other enrichments to better the school and student outcomes.”
Developed by Trajectory Energy Partners, the Jubilee solar farm is owned and operated by Nexamp, a national clean energy company with headquarters in Boston and Chicago. It features more than 5,400 solar panels to feed electricity to the Ameren Illinois utility grid for area community solar subscription customers, in an effort to provide long-term economic and environmental benefits.
“This project demonstrates how solar can deliver meaningful, lasting value for communities,” said Jessica Collingsworth, Nexamp’s Central Policy Director. “By collaborating with local leaders and prioritizing the needs of the school and residents, Jubilee Solar is more than just another generation resource; it provides savings, opportunity, and long-term resilience.”
Representatives of the school district and the solar development firms joined community leaders for a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Peoria County knows the value of community solar projects firsthand, and the value of finding the right partners to work with when building them,” said Peoria County Board chair James Dillon. “We partnered with Trajectory Energy Partners on an earlier project to realize savings for our own county budget while putting clean, reliable energy onto the Ameren grid, and I’m heartened to see that same kind of progress for our local communities come online for the Brimfield School District.”
As a qualified project under Illinois Shines, Jubilee Solar follows the public schools category provision that allows school districts to host the community solar installations while reducing operational expenses and extending energy savings to the entire community.
Area subscribers will be able to save up to 15% on their energy bills without having to install their own solar panels.
“By working together, we’re advancing a modern, flexible grid that can better serve our customers and provide real savings to organizations like the Brimfield School District and households across our service area,” said Andy Parker, director of Ameren’s Clean Energy Transition strategy. “Our commitment is to ensure that all of our communities share in the opportunities that come with a cleaner energy future.”
Kiersten Sheets, the senior project manager for Trajectory, said the opening of Jubilee Solar marks a milestone for both Brimfield School District and the entire state.
“The opportunity to create Jubilee Solar through the Illinois Shines program is a model of collaboration between local leaders, developers, and policymakers to maximize the many benefits solar projects provide,” said Sheets.
