Community Solar & Public Benefit Programs

Rummans Energy’s initial development focus is community solar and community-driven community solar in Illinois. These projects are designed to allow residents, businesses, schools, public institutions, and eligible households to benefit from solar energy without installing panels on their own property.

Through Illinois Shines and related state programs, qualified projects may create utility bill credits, Renewable Energy Credit value, and local community benefits.

Community Solar is designed for those who want the benefits of clean energy but cannot or do not want to install panels on their own property.

• How it Works: We build a "solar garden" in a local utility territory. Residents and small businesses "subscribe" to a share of the energy produced.

• The Benefit: You receive a monetary credit directly on your monthly utility bill (Ameren or ComEd) for your portion of the solar power generated.

• Who it’s For: Renters, homeowners with shaded roofs, and anyone looking for a simple way to lower their energy costs.

• Learn more at Illinois Shines

Community Solar: Energy Without the Roof

Solar for the Public Sector: Schools, Churches, & Government

Rummans Energy is interested in public-sector and nonprofit partnerships where community solar can support local institutions, reduce long-term energy costs, and create educational or community benefits. Potential partners may include schools, churches, nonprofits, local governments, and rural public facilities.

Schools: Solar projects serve as a "living laboratory" for STEM education while stabilizing operational budgets by reducing long-term energy costs.

• Churches & Non-profits: Organizations can act as "Anchor Subscribers," receiving stable energy credits that free up funds for their core missions and community services.

• Government Buildings: Local municipalities can lower the tax burden by powering city halls, water treatment plants, and libraries with local, low-cost solar energy.

Illinois Solar for All: Low-Income Community Solar

Through the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) program, we ensure that the benefits of the clean energy transition are available to income-eligible households.

• Illinois Solar for All is a state program designed to help income-eligible residents pay less for electricity through solar. The program requires approved solar companies to offer terms that help eligible participants save money compared to what they would have paid without the program.

• No Upfront Costs: We develop ILSFA-qualified projects that require zero upfront investment from the subscriber, removing the financial barriers to going solar.

• Community Impact: These projects are often prioritized for "Environmental Justice Communities," bringing investment and jobs to the areas that need them most.

• See if you qualify at Illinois Solar for All

Sources & References for This Page

• Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program): Official Program Site

• Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA): Income-Eligible Solar Benefits

• Illinois Power Agency (IPA): Utility-Scale Solar Fact Sheet

• U.S. Department of Energy:Community Solar Basics

Community-Driven Community Solar

Community-driven community solar is a more intentional form of solar development. It is not just about placing panels on available land. It is about connecting a solar project to the needs, priorities, and long-term benefit of the community where the project is located.

For Rummans Energy, community-driven community solar means starting with local relationships. We look for projects that can support rural landowners, strengthen local communities, create subscriber opportunities, and contribute to a more flexible local electric grid. The goal is to develop projects that make sense technically, financially, and locally.

Our approach begins with landowner trust and disciplined site selection. Before a project moves forward, we evaluate utility interconnection, zoning, engineering feasibility, environmental considerations, community fit, and long-term grid-support value. We are not trying to force projects into places where they do not belong. We are looking for sites where rural energy infrastructure can create practical value.

Community-driven community solar may include partnerships with schools, churches, local governments, nonprofits, small businesses, rural residents, agricultural communities, and other local stakeholders. These partnerships may help connect solar development to community priorities such as energy savings, education, workforce participation, land stewardship, local tax value, and rural economic development.

Rummans Energy’s mission is to identify and develop power solutions for rural economic development. Community-driven community solar is one of the clearest ways to advance that mission because it combines local landowner participation, renewable energy development, public benefit, and rural grid support in a single project model.

Solar is the entry point. Over time, select sites may also be evaluated for battery storage optionality, interconnection flexibility, public-sector partnerships, microgrids, or other power solutions where they support the company’s rural economic development mission.