Illinois Hits $10B in Clean Energy, Powering 306K Homes

Illinois families and businesses are getting more access to clean, affordable energy thanks to a $10 billion milestone that's transforming how the state powers itself.

ComEd announced it now has over $10 billion in renewable energy contracts across Illinois, supporting enough wind and solar power to run 306,000 homes for an entire year. That's roughly equivalent to powering every household in a city the size of Cincinnati.

The growth is happening fast. In 2025 alone, Illinois added more renewable energy support than any previous year in state history, with rooftop solar installations jumping from 1 gigawatt to 1.7 gigawatts in just 12 months.

Nearly 80,000 Illinois homes now have rooftop solar panels, up from practically none a few years ago. For people who can't install their own panels, over 270 community solar projects let anyone tap into clean energy and lower their monthly bills without any upfront costs.

Andrew Plenge, vice president of Strategy & Energy Policy at ComEd, says these long-term contracts give renewable developers the financial certainty they need to build. That means more projects get off the ground, creating jobs and bringing cleaner air to communities statewide.

The investment traces back to Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act passed in 2021. The law sets an ambitious target: 100% clean energy by 2050, with 40% coming from renewables by 2030.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Beyond cleaner air, Illinois' renewable boom is creating economic opportunities across the state. Every solar panel installed means local jobs for installers, electricians, and maintenance workers.

The community solar model is particularly game-changing for renters and low-income families who've been left out of the solar revolution. Now anyone can subscribe to a solar project and see savings on their electricity bill, no roof required.

ComEd's grid upgrades are preparing the infrastructure for even more growth, supporting battery storage and emerging technologies that will make clean energy more reliable and affordable for years to come.

Illinois is proving that ambitious clean energy goals aren't just environmental wins but economic ones that put money back in people's pockets while building a healthier future.