Illinois Transforms Toxic Superfund Site Into Solar Savings for 1,000 Homes

In Waukegan, Illinois, a story of remarkable transformation is unfolding on land that was once written off as unusable. What began as a toxic landfill too contaminated for development has blossomed into a beacon of hope for the community: a solar farm that's putting money back into residents' pockets while powering a cleaner future.

The Yeoman Solar Project, which came online last month, represents the best of what's possible when communities refuse to give up on damaged land. This 9.1-megawatt solar installation now generates clean energy for approximately 1,000 households in the area, about 40 miles north of Chicago, with subscribers guaranteed to see savings on their energy bills through Illinois Solar for All, a state program designed to bring renewable energy benefits to low-income areas.

For Fredy Amador, a former workers' rights organizer who knows firsthand the financial pressures facing families, the project has become something worth celebrating. He's now sharing the good news with neighbors who are struggling with northern Illinois' rising energy costs, showing them how community solar offers real relief.

The journey from liability to asset is particularly inspiring. The Waukegan school district purchased the land in the 1950s with dreams of building a new high school, but the swampy terrain proved unsuitable. The site served as an industrial and municipal dump from 1958 to 1969, becoming so contaminated that it earned a place on the federal Superfund list in 1989. After cleanup was completed in 2005, the land sat vacant for years, with few options for its future use.

Now, instead of remaining an empty reminder of industrial pollution, the site generates both clean energy and revenue. The school district, which serves over 13,000 students (68 percent from low-income families), receives lease payments from CleanCapital, the solar investment company operating the farm. Even better, the district uses about 40 percent of the energy produced, becoming the project's anchor tenant and directly benefiting from the savings.

The Ripple Effect

The positive impacts extend far beyond lower utility bills. LeBaron Moten, deputy superintendent of Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60, sees exciting possibilities for education. The district already incorporates its rooftop solar arrays into sustainability lessons, and the Yeoman Solar Project opens new doors for teaching students about clean energy and potentially preparing them for careers in the growing renewable sector.

Paul Curran of CleanCapital explains why such sites work beautifully for solar development: existing electrical infrastructure, lower land costs, and community support. The project demonstrates how thoughtful state policy and incentives can drive clean energy forward even when federal support wavers.

Andrew Linhares of the Solar Energy Industries Association captured the significance perfectly, noting that the project "instills new life into the Yeoman Creek Landfill Superfund site like only solar can."

For a city with five Superfund sites and a history as an industrial hub, Waukegan is showing other communities what's possible. Contaminated land doesn't have to stay dormant. With creativity and commitment, yesterday's environmental challenges can become tomorrow's clean energy solutions, bringing financial relief and brighter prospects to families who need both.