The Village of Bellwood is committed to expanding access to renewable energy for its residents and building a greener future for the community. Through active participation in community solar programs, Bellwood residents are embracing clean energy and reducing their carbon footprint.
As a part of the Cross-Community Climate Collaborative (C4), Bellwood is demonstrating why community solar is a smart way to transition to renewable energy. C4 is an award-winning initiative comprised of 14 communities in Cook County working together to drive large-scale, impactful, and equitable climate solutions. C4 provides expertise and support for Bellwood’s rollout of community solar programs, while also serving as a platform for Bellwood to share resources and best practices as it continues to successfully expand this option for residents and businesses.
Community Solar: A Shared Solution
Community solar offers an opportunity for individuals to benefit from solar power even if they cannot install panels on their own property. By subscribing to a portion of a shared solar farm, residents receive credits on their electricity bills for the clean energy generated. Those credits result in financial savings for the customer, and their subscriptions help finance the development of grid-scale solar projects. This solution is ultimately good for the customer, the solar energy industry, and the environment.
Bellwood’s Success Story
In January 2024, Bellwood initially partnered with the community solar company, Solstice, to provide a community solar program to residents. They held an in-person community outreach meeting to help educate residents. Representatives discussed the details of the program and the guaranteed savings residents would receive on their energy bills, and residents were able to get their questions and concerns addressed. More than 100 residents subsequently created a Solstice account, more than 40 were approved, and the remainder were placed on a waiting list.
Community solar programs have limited capacity, and demand often outstrips availability. So Bellwood’s next step in expanding access for their residents was a partnership with another community solar company, Solar Landscape. In a collaborative effort, the village launched a comprehensive communication campaign to inform residents about the program and its benefits. Residents received a mailing from Bellwood Mayor Andre Harvey included with their water bills, reaching over 6,000 households and generating significant interest and enthusiasm. Since the mailing went out in September, Solar Landscape has seen a steady flow of signups for the program.
“Residents were enthusiastic about the program and its benefits,” said Tonita LeShore, Director of Human Resources for the Village of Bellwood. Because many residents had already learned about community solar earlier in the year, it was familiar to them and they were excited to have access to another program, said LeShore.
Lessons Learned and Future Plans
While the initial outreach campaign was successful, Bellwood recognizes the importance of continued engagement. LeShore said in-person meetings and ongoing communication are crucial to the success of these programs, helping to address any remaining questions and ensure widespread participation.
The demand for community solar in Bellwood remains high, and plans for future campaigns are already underway. By leveraging the lessons learned and building on the existing momentum, Bellwood is well-positioned to further expand its community solar program, share best practices with other C4 communities, and ultimately empower even more residents to embrace clean energy.
Bellwood’s success story serves as an inspiration for other C4 communities looking to transition to a sustainable energy future. Through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to environmental stewardship, Bellwood is paving the way for a brighter, greener tomorrow.