CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL, September 26, 2021 — On Sunday, the Christ for Everyone Ministries congregation celebrated the soon to be installed Bishop Kenneth Franklin’s Christ for Everyone Community Solar along with Groundswell, Sunlight General Capital, and Supreme Solutions. The community solar project will bring energy savings and economic empowerment to low-income households of Cook County as a part of the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) program. ILSFA provides greater access to the clean energy economy for low-income residents through incentives that help make solar installations more affordable and results in measurable savings for participants.
In partnership with Bishop Kenneth Franklin of Christ for Everyone Ministries, Groundswell developed this 663 kW dc solar array with a vision of economic empowerment and community investment through clean energy. Groundswell is a nonprofit that builds community power and serves as the solar developer for this project. This community solar array will serve approximately 72-108 low-income households in the area with clean, locally produced energy, while reducing the carbon dioxide equivalent of a passenger vehicle driving 1,933,151 miles each year. Bishop Kenneth Franklin, who leads the church, said that this opportunity for service to the community and good stewardship of the church’s God-given resources was what drove the church to become a solar host site.
Bishop Kenneth Franklin’s Christ for Everyone Community Solar also supports the City of Chicago Heights’ redevelopment goals by bringing value to multiple local stakeholders. According to the City of Chicago Heights Comprehensive Plan (2015-2030), nearly 575 acres, or 10.7% of its land is vacant. This community solar project will be installed on previously vacant land, therefore giving the land a productive purpose and aligning with the goals of the City of Chicago Heights. The project has attracted private capital and generates economic benefits for the church, the project subscribers, and the greater community.
Supreme Solutions, a minority-owned business that is building a portfolio of solar projects, is the technical advisor for the assessment and installation of the solar array. SunLight General Capital, a woman-owned business, is applying its experience and a track record of providing clean, affordable energy to financing the project.
Bishop Kenneth Franklin’s Christ for Everyone Community Solar in Chicago Heights is expected to begin providing energy to local households in 2022.
About Groundswell: Groundswell is a 501c3 nonprofit that builds community power through equitable community solar projects and resilience centers, clean energy programs that reduce energy burdens, and pioneering research initiatives that help light the way to clean energy futures for all. Groundswell leads clean energy programs and projects in six states including the District of Columbia, including serving more than 4,000 income-qualified customers with more than $1.85 million per year in clean energy savings. Learn more at Groundswell.org or @grndswell.
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