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Kari Lydersen | Energy News Network The family company Wellspring Components started four generations ago to fabricate metal for horse-drawn buggies for Amish families in Indiana. Today, its offshoot Wellspring Solar is among a growing number of national and Midwestern companies launching new solar operations in Illinois, thanks to incentives under the state’s Future Energy…

The Editorial Board Thanks to the 2016 adoption of the Illinois Future Jobs Act, counties all over Illinois are acting on solar-farm ordinances and proposed solar farms. Champaign County joined the parade last week with the adoption of a solar-farm ordinance. At the time the Legislature passed the Illinois Future Jobs Act in December 2016,…

Gary L. Smith | The Peoria Journal Star LACON – Marshall County’s list of potential future solar energy installations continued to grow last week with Zoning Board of Appeals approval of three projects of the type being developed at numerous sites around central Illinois and elsewhere in the state. The panel voted unanimously Thursday night…

Lesley McCain | The News-Gazette Solar energy is a bright spot in Illinois’ economy, rapidly creating jobs across the state. And we’re just getting started. Solar businesses, unlike those in many other industries, are rushing to Illinois to set up shop. These companies are attracted by falling equipment costs and a stable state policy that…

Julia Pyper | Green Tech Media A new report documents the democratization of renewables, energy storage and electric vehicles in America. Last year, the U.S. produced a record amount of solar power, generating 39 times more solar power than a decade ago. In 2008, solar produced 0.05 percent of electricity in the U.S. But by…

Blake Haas | WJBC NORMAL – As the summer heats up, residents in Bloomington-Normal can catch some rays at a discounted price. For homeowners, farmers, or business owners soaking up the sun has never been easier in the Twin Cities. Solar Bloomington-Normal achieved its first benchmark program since it was founded in 2016, triggering a…

Gary L. Smith | The Peoria Journal Star LACON — Marshall County has become something of a hotbed of the 2-megawatt “community solar” projects that are a staple of the state’s emerging solar industry, and three are scheduled for public hearings this week before the Zoning Board of Appeals. Highland Park-based Trajectory Energy Partners LLC,…

Rebecca Susmarski | The Register-Mail GALESBURG — Area wind farms brought in many jobs during their construction phases, but not as many jobs remained after the projects’ completion. Invenergy LLC’s Bishop Hill I and Bishop Hill III wind farms in Henry County provided approximately 220 and 214 jobs, respectively, at the pinnacle of each project’s…

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) announced Monday the launch of a new statewide effort aimed at encouraging Illinois to embrace renewable energy and carbon-free power. The initiative is called “Listen. Lead. Share. A conversation about winning a clean, equitable energy future.” ICJC members said their policy goals include: Ensuring equitable benefits across the state; Moving Illinois…