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The City has partnered with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and Chicago-based MC-Squared Energy Services to participate in the MMC CS2 Residential Community Solar Program, which helps  residents and small businesses save money and develop renewable energy while supporting the City’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan.

The CS2 Residential Community Solar Program allows residents and small businesses to subscribe to community solar arrays in Illinois and receive generation credits on their electric bills for guaranteed savings. Participants are able to support solar power projects without installing their own rooftop panels, and their subscriptions help finance and construct small solar facilities through energy provider, Soltage, in both Cortland and Lena, Illinois.

Program participants will save 20% on the energy- supply portion of their monthly bills, based on the solar generation credits achieved for their account. For every 25 subscribers, the City will hold a drawing for a gift card to a local Evanston business. Program enrollment is available at mc2energyservices.com/IL/Community-Solar/Join-Evanston.

MC-Squared and Soltage will also provide one income-qualifying subscription for every 20 regular subscriptions enrolled. Income-qualifying subscriptions are free, which means that 100% of the monthly community solar generation credits received on each monthly bill will be retained by the subscriber. Evanston residents who currently receive a Parks and Recreation scholarship, the Evanston Benefit Card, or wish to independently verify their income are eligible.

It is anticipated that there will be approximately 600 initial regular subscriptions available to Evanston residents, with the possibility of that number’s increasing to 900 by the end of summer. Participation in the program is first come, first served.

This program is a complementary program to the City’s existing Electricity Aggregation Program. Both programs provide renewable or solar energy to participants. The Community Solar Program guarantees a cost savings on electric bills compared to ComEd, whereas the Electricity Aggregation Program matches ComEd’s price. Existing Aggregation customers will receive assistance from MC-Squared Energy Services if they choose to switch to the Community Solar Program. The City recommends that net-metering customers not participate in either program.

Enrollment Information

In an effort to reduce barriers to accessing solar energy, this program does not require credit checks, enrollment fees, or termination fees. Interested residents should contact MC-Squared Energy Services at 833-970-2796 or email EvanstonCommunitySolar@mc2energyservices.com to enroll today.

More information about this program is available at  visit cityofevanston.org/solar.