Waukegan committee reviews community solar plan that could yield about $63,000 a year in savings
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Summary
The Waukegan Environmental and Sustainability Committee heard a presentation Feb. 17 on a community solar subscription with Solstice Power Technologies LLC that an energy consultant said could produce roughly $63,000 in annual credits for city accounts starting in August under a 20-year agreement; no council vote was taken at the meeting.
On Feb. 17 the Waukegan Environmental and Sustainability Committee heard a presentation on a proposed community solar subscription agreement with Solstice Power Technologies LLC that an energy consultant said could generate about $63,000 in annual savings for the city’s accounts.
Adam Hoover, an energy broker and consultant, told the committee the bid results show the city could begin receiving ComEd bill credits as early as August and that the proposed contract would run 20 years. "The savings would be about $63,000 total," Hoover said, adding that the amount could rise if ComEd rates increase. He said the city would not pay more if solar generation under‑performs: "If the sun doesn't shine for 6 months, you guys will never pay more than you're expected to." Hoover said the physical solar farm in the bid is in Elgin and that the program provides a credit line item on the ComEd bill rather than routing electrons to specific Waukegan buildings.
Hoover described the program as a state‑sponsored community solar subscription for city accounts, not direct rooftop installs in Waukegan, and encouraged residents to enroll: he said residents could sign up and that a separate residential offer (including a 50% discount for some signups) was available though not part of the city agreement he presented.
During public comment, Mister Ruxalis raised broader environmental concerns — including ethylene oxide near warehouses, coal‑ash cleanup and community notification of zoning variances — and urged the committee to update the UDO notification strategy so occupants as well as property owners are told about variances. "They need to notify all residents, not just property owners," he said. Mister Edwards asked whether local residents would get the skilled jobs the project might create, urging the committee to consult residents before proceeding: "All money ain't good money," Edwards said.
Staff told the committee that bidders and the selected developer have discussed workforce training partnerships with the College of Lake County (CLC). Committee members asked whether the program costs the city anything; Hoover said it does not and that savings appear as a credit on the city's ComEd bill.
The committee did not take a vote on the subscription agreement at the meeting. Staff indicated the finalized contract package will go to full council and be ready for council review in about two weeks.
