Illinois Solar Program Cuts Energy Bills for 6,800 Families

Over 6,800 adults and children with disabilities across Illinois just got a financial boost that will last two decades.

Trinity Services, a nonprofit providing care and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, partnered with Common Energy to join five community solar projects in the Chicago area. Starting now, 120 Trinity facilities will receive monthly credits on their electricity bills, saving 20% for the next 20 years.

For a nonprofit where every dollar counts, those savings go directly toward supporting the people they serve. Families living in Trinity residential units will see lower energy costs without paying a dime upfront or installing any equipment.

The partnership works through community solar programs that let anyone subscribe to a local solar farm and receive bill credits. Trinity's participation helps fund new renewable energy development while securing reliable savings that can expand services for years to come.

The five solar projects combined generate enough clean electricity to power thousands of homes annually. They produce 20.7 million kilowatt hours per year and will offset over 563 million pounds of carbon emissions over their lifetime.

Bob Taylor, Trinity Services CFO, emphasized what these savings mean for their mission. "Community solar gives us the opportunity to reduce our operating costs for decades while doing right by the environment and our communities," he said.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership shows how clean energy solutions can create multiple wins at once. Families with disabilities get financial relief. Communities get cleaner air. Local solar projects get the subscribers they need to exist.

The model is spreading across Illinois through the state's Illinois Shines Program, which makes community solar accessible to nonprofits, businesses, and households. No rooftop required, no installation costs, just local clean energy and lower bills.

Trinity Services has been supporting people with disabilities and mental health needs since 1950, offering everything from residential care to therapeutic horseback riding. Now their commitment to helping people flourish includes environmental stewardship that pays for itself.

Twenty years of guaranteed savings means stability and growth for programs that change lives every day.