Last Updated on: 2nd August 2025, 03:21 am

Community solar power is one of my favorite cleantech solutions. It’s helpful in multiple ways, and can often play that “Goldilocks” role of being “just right” — not too big, and not too small. It enables more solar power for more individuals, and benefits from certain economies of scale to bring down costs — maybe not as much as gigawatt-level utility-scale solar projects, but more than home rooftop solar projects.

What you don’t often see is community solar projects and corporate commercial solar projects. However, that seems to be what giant global logistics real estate company Prologis is working on. The company is getting a series of large rooftop solar installations and deploying them as community solar projects.

The first community solar rooftop project was launched this week in Franklin Park, Illinois. It is the first of what are expected to be 45 such solar projects totaling 82 megawatts (MW). For some more perspective, while community solar is getting quite big in Illinois (and some other states), there are currently just around 200 community solar projects in the Land of Lincoln. Adding 45 more is a huge increase for the sector.

“More than half of the energy credits will be directed to income-qualified households, expanding access to clean energy in underserved communities in the Chicago area and beyond,” a press release states.

The project was launched by Prologis alongside ComEd, the region’s utility company. “We’re proud to join ComEd to officially launch this project, the first of many community solar projects that our energy team is deploying across our Illinois rooftops,” said Carter Andrus, Prologis’ Chief Operating Officer. “Illinois is one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the country, and we’re excited to help lead its momentum. For us, this is about more than solar panels—it’s about using our scale to make a real difference in the communities where we operate and bring the benefits of clean energy to more people across Illinois.”

Indeed. We love cleantech because it cuts CO2 emissions and other pollution, but when it is also used to help socioeconomic issues and inequity, it’s extra heartwarming.

“As we continue to support the expansion of solar across northern Illinois, new and planned Prologis rooftop solar sites promise to provide northern Illinois customers additional options for lowering their energy costs via renewable energy connected to the grid,” said Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd. “With dozens of additional projects in the pipeline, we are seeing the effect of the pro-solar incentives put in place by Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration and how they support a cleaner, more equitable energy future in our state.”

“Illinois policymakers have worked hard on policy that encourages businesses like Prologis to grow and our energy sector to expand, especially in renewable energy,” said Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, 18^th District. “It’s exciting to see the fruits of CEJA, one of the most expansive energy bills in the country come to fruition with vital initiatives like this one, reinforcing Illinois’ leadership in community solar.”

“I’m happy to stand with ComEd and Prologis as we celebrate the launch of this community solar project right here in Franklin Park,” said State Representative Norma Hernandez, 77^th District. “By leveraging underutilized industrial rooftops, we’re not only expanding access to clean, renewable energy—we’re ensuring that working families in our communities can directly benefit from lower utility costs and a more resilient energy grid. This is a smart, community-centered model for how we decarbonize equitably and sustainably. Thank you for your leadership and bringing this to the 77th District.”

Here are some more details on this first rooftop community solar project from Prologis: “SunVest Solar, a national developer and independent power producer, designed the Franklin Park 3 rooftop community solar installation atop a 195,000-square-foot Prologis logistics center. Prologis will own and operate the 1.56 MW community solar project, which will serve mostly residential customers, with the remaining community solar credits benefiting local businesses.”

Lastly, here’s a bit more on community solar in Illinois and why this is becoming a bigger and bigger sector of the Illinois solar market: “The 2016 Future Energy Jobs Act created Illinois’ community solar program, and the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) made it stronger. Since the passage of CEJA, there has been a 400% increase in connected community solar — 4x the capacity of Community Solar that was installed in 2024 vs. 2023. ComEd expects to have 240 community solar sites on its system by the end of 2025, producing 520MW and powering about 71,000 homes.” I love it! This is the way to go. Kudos to Illinois for taking a lead on this, and now also Prologis for jumping right in. I know it helps Prologis’ bottom line, but it still deserves a pat on the back for the insight, vision, and care.

Let’s let Prologis have the final word on this, though. “This is the future of industrial real estate: enabling supply chains, strengthening energy systems/infrastructure and helping customers and communities thrive.”