Welcome to the Village of Oak Park
Community Solar Program
Waitlist
Join the Waitlist today!
Take part in the first wave of community solar projects being developed in Illinois. Oak Park residents have an opportunity to participate as subscribers in an operational community solar project.
Join the Waitlist today, and mc² will contact you with more information on the opportunity to become a subscriber to the project once your account is analyzed. There are no fees or costs associated with the Waitlist, and there is no obligation to become a subscriber. First come first served basis.
Large scale* community solar gardens are
developed at off-site locations to generate
clean, carbon-free electricity.
The community solar garden generates clean,
carbon-free electricity and supplies it to the
utility’s power grid for delivery to its distribution
customers including homes, schools and business.
You enroll as a subscriber to the community solar facility, and you
receive a net metering credit on your monthly utility electricity
invoice for your portion of the solar power generated each calendar
month. MC Squared Energy Services bills you separately for 80% of
the net metering credit you receive, and therefore you retain 20% as
your monthly savings! There are no other fees involved – it’s that
simple to support solar generating resources in Illinois and receive a
guaranteed savings for participating.
Community solar allows consumers to support the development of renewable energy generation without having to install solar panels on their roof. Participating consumers have the choice to participate as "subscribers" in a community solar project.
FAQs
What is Community Solar?
A community solar project is a single site solar installation that is shared by multiple consumers (termed "subscribers").
Each subscriber receives credits for their share of the electricity generated by their community solar installation
(termed "net metering credits"). These net metering credits reduce the amount of electricity charged to the subscriber's
account each month to yield cost savings. With community solar, subscribers can reduce their monthly bills with solar
without installing or maintaining any equipment on their property.
What is the Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA)?
FEJA refers to legislation passed in 2016. FEJA made many changes to how energy policy works in Illinois, including enabling community solar.
FEJA also includes new state administered programs called the Adjustable Block Program and
Solar for All which help to support community solar development, however community solar
projects are not obligated to participate in these state programs.
How does Community Solar work?
Community solar projects generate electricity, and that power is delivered into the electric grid of the utility.
The community solar project signs up subscribers, which can include virtually any electric customer within Commonwealth Edison’s
(ComEd) service territory. Each subscriber receives monthly net metering credits based on the size of their subscription, how
much the community solar project generates, and the subscriber’s electricity supply arrangement. Each subscription is tied to a specific community solar project.
What are the benefits of Community Solar?
It is an easy way to support clean energy generation located within Illinois. Supporting these types of projects help to reduce the
dependence on fossil fuels and support clean energy generation. In addition, you do not have to invest in a solar asset on your
rooftop, which may not be right for everybody. You will receive a net metering credit on your monthly ComEd electric utility bill for
your share of the generation created by these projects. Oak Park’s program will not have upfront costs, will not lock you into a
long-term contract, and guarantees savings if the subscriber follows a few simple steps.
When will Oak Park’s program start?
The Village of Oak Park is Illinois’ first available residential community solar program located in the ComEd service
territory. The program is currently available to Oak Park residents through Oak Park’s current municipal electricity
aggregation program provider, Chicago-based MC Squared Energy Services. Sign up if you are interested in the opportunity
to become one of the subscribers in the Oak Park Community Solar program. There is no obligation to participate in the project.
How does the billing work?
The Oak Park Program uses a two-stage subscription billing process.
First, after successfully completing the enrollment process, you will receive the net metering credits on your monthly ComEd electric utility bill for your share of the generation created by your community solar project under the utility’s default electricity supply tariff service. The invoice examples below show you how this works.
Then, after you have received you net metering credits from ComEd, MC Squared Energy Services, LLC will bill you for 80 % of the net metering credits – leaving you with 20 % of all net metering credits.Your monthly bill from MC Squared Energy Services, LLC will also report how your participation impacts the environment each month.
First, after successfully completing the enrollment process, you will receive the net metering credits on your monthly ComEd electric utility bill for your share of the generation created by your community solar project under the utility’s default electricity supply tariff service. The invoice examples below show you how this works.
Then, after you have received you net metering credits from ComEd, MC Squared Energy Services, LLC will bill you for 80 % of the net metering credits – leaving you with 20 % of all net metering credits.Your monthly bill from MC Squared Energy Services, LLC will also report how your participation impacts the environment each month.
What do you mean that solar subscriptions will be first come-first serve?
This initial community solar project for the Oak Park Program will have capacity for a limited number of initial subscriptions
(approximately 200 +/- residents). After the first community solar project is fully subscribed, a waitlist will be maintained.
Oak Park residents on the waitlist will be contacted as new community solar subscription opportunities become available.
What are Renewable Energy Credits?
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are attributes generated by community solar projects. Under the Illinois Shines program,
community solar owners sell the RECs generated from our community solar farms to Illinois utilities to help the state of
Illinois reach required renewable energy targets set by the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard
What is Illinois Shines?
Illinois Shines, or the Adjustable Block Program, is a state-administered program for new solar PV systems.
You can learn more about Illinois Shines by reading this this brochure.
Questions?
Email us at
Solar@mc2energyservices.com
*You may choose a community solar offer from other Approved Vendors. For a complete list of your options, visit https://illinoisshines.com/approved-vendor-info/.
