7.4 MW Project in Rockford (Cherry Valley, Illinois) is Now Delivering Power; Local Subscribers Save on Their Energy Bill

CHERRY VALLEY, Ill., Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- State Sen. Steve Stadelman and State Rep. Maurice West joined representatives from ECA Power, a 100% employee-owned solar and energy storage developer, project owner and operator Luminace, ComEd, construction partner Miller Bros., and local community leaders to celebrate the energization of the Rockford Community Energy Initiative, one of the largest community solar projects in ComEd's service territory.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony in Cherry Valley marked a significant milestone in expanding access to affordable, locally generated clean energy in Winnebago County.

"The Illinois General Assembly has spent the past several years passing legislation to encourage and incentivize renewable energy projects like this one," said State Sen. Steve Stadelman. "It's always exciting to work on legislation and then see that work translate into real development on the ground."

Spanning 33.9 acres, the 7.4-megawatt (MWdc) solar project generates enough electricity to power more than 1,100 ComEd customers. Through the community solar program, households, renters, and small businesses throughout ComEd's service territory can subscribe to the project and save up to 10% on their electricity bills, making the benefits of solar energy accessible without the need to install rooftop panels.

"Northern Illinois is becoming a national leader in community solar, and projects like this are helping bring the benefits of clean energy to more families and businesses," said Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd. "We're proud to work with ECA Power and Luminace to connect projects like this to the grid, and build a power system that can support continued clean energy growth across our region."

The Rockford Community Energy Initiative sits in a state-designated R3 area, bringing new investment to a community targeted for revitalization. The project turns that designation into local benefits: lower electric bills for subscribers, new tax revenue, and long-term infrastructure investment in the region.

As part of its community benefit agreement with the Village of Cherry Valley, ECA Power contributed $150,000 to support the buildout, operation, and maintenance of an EV charging station.

"At ECA Power, we believe the success of a project should be measured not only by the energy it produces, but by the lasting value it creates for the surrounding community," said Todd Fryatt, Founder and CEO of ECA Power. "The Rockford Community Energy Initiative reflects that commitment by expanding access to affordable, locally generated energy while bringing meaningful investment to the region. From supporting local revitalization to our partnership with the Village of Cherry Valley, we're proud to deliver a project that will benefit this community for years to come."

About ECA Power

ECA Power is a solar and battery storage developer headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Independently owned and operated for over 12 years, ECA Power has over 1.3 GW of clean energy assets in its pipeline. The company partners with landowners and communities to develop community solar and storage projects across [states]. Learn more at ecapower.com.

About ComEd

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation, a Fortune 200 company and one of the nation's largest utility companies, serving almost 11 million customers through six fully regulated transmission and distribution utilities. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information, visit comed.com. 

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SOURCE ECA Power