Opening Doors to Opportunity: Jacksonville Promise and Lincoln Land Community College
Insights |
By Catherine Heiger
Our Prairie Creek Solar Project in Morgan County, Illinois, reflects our vision that renewable energy projects should generate lasting community benefits. Our Impact partners, now a year into their funding, create local jobs, support education, and strengthen the future workforce. Two of our impact partners, Jacksonville Promise and Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC), are helping turn that vision into reality by making higher education more accessible for local students.
One of those students is Addy Blimling, a second-year LLCC student and Jacksonville Promise scholar from Murrayville, IL. A graduate of Jacksonville High School and former volleyball player, Addy is exploring her passion for communications through an internship with her local electric cooperative—an experience that reflects the many ways renewable energy projects like Prairie Creek contribute to opportunity and career growth within the region’s energy economy. There, she supports member services and social media efforts—including managing their TikTok page and assisting with graphic design projects. After completing her associate’s degree at Lincoln Land, she plans to transfer to a four-year college to study Marketing.
For Addy, the Jacksonville Promise scholarship has been truly transformational.
“College can be so expensive, and this scholarship lifted a huge financial burden,” she said. “It’s allowed me to focus more on my studies and my future instead of worrying about how to pay for school.”
Through the support of Jacksonville Promise and LLCC, Addy has been able to stay local, pursue her degree affordably, and explore career paths that connect her education to her work experience.
“Lincoln Land gave me the chance to explore my options and make smart financial decisions,” she shared. “After graduation, I want to stay in this area and give back to the programs that have supported me.”
By expanding access to higher education and workforce training, Jacksonville Promise and Lincoln Land Community College are helping shape the future of Jacksonville, IL. Sol Systems is proud to support their efforts to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to build a stronger, more resilient region.
Welcome to Saline County: Introducing Our New Community Impact Partners!
Insights |
By Catherine Heiger
At the Eldorado Solar Project Community Celebration on Thursday, September 25th, Sol Systems (“Sol”) announced to its project partners and the local community members in attendance the first group of community partners in Saline County, Illinois, home of our Eldorado Solar Projects. These partnerships build on the foundation set in 2021, when we launched one of the country’s largest power purchase agreement partnerships. It was groundbreaking not only for the size of the partnership, but the level of commitment behind it: a promise to build long-term investments for communities like Saline County. From the beginning, Sol Systems has focused on working with trusted local organizations--those who know their communities best—to create initiatives that directly benefit these areas and ensure all communities can take part in shaping America’s energy future. By listening to local voices and supporting community-led efforts, we’re working to ensure the impact of solar power goes far beyond energy generated.
Since launching the partnership, we’ve supported a wide range of organizations in both rural and urban communities including Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Appalachia, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. This funding has helped communities lead efforts like energy efficiency and home repair programs, build solar-plus-storage resilience hubs, offer job training and education, and provide wrap-around support for those who need it most. These efforts reflect the power of community-led solutions and the importance of meeting people where they are.
Now, as more of our solar projects move into operation, we’re deepening our focus on investing directly in the communities where those projects are based. Building on the launch of our community impact program in Morgan County, Illinois, we’re proud to add partnerships with local organizations in Saline County that share our commitment to building resilience and supporting sustainable, long-term growth. The initiatives being implemented with these local organizations are framed around addressing education, workforce development, energy efficiency, agriculture, and food systems needs. Our goal with these partnerships is to build a foundation of strong connections between our partners, their community, and our solar project in a way that creates a lasting impact on Saline County.
Faith in Place (Southern Illinois)
Since 1999, Faith in Place has empowered people of diverse faiths and spiritualities to be leaders in advancing environmental and racial justice, providing resources to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The organization advances its mission through five program areas: energy & climate change, sustainable food & land use, water preservation, environmental advocacy, and youth empowerment.
Sol’s partnership will support energy efficiency programs for low-income and community serving organizations. The initiative will conduct energy audits for the community serving organizations, guiding them toward action and upgrades aligned with their priorities enabling them to reduce their facilities’ energy usage over time. Faith in Place will also support an overarching community engagement project that could include installing energy efficient mini-splits, refrigerators and other energy efficient upgrades at a tiny home or homeless shelter in Saline County.
Prairie Rivers Network
Since its inception, Prairie Rivers Network has consistently used grassroots organizing and advocacy to protect the rivers and streams of Illinois including advocating for the full enforcement of the Clean Water Act to reduce water pollution and protect fish and wildlife habitats.
Sol’s partnership will help to create programming to support frontline coal communities in Illinois through the transition to a clean energy economy and engage with communities on the importance of native habitat. Specifically, enable Prairie Rivers Network to establish and implement a community energy education program to increase awareness and utilization of energy opportunities – solar, energy efficiency, electrification & energy audits for low and moderate income (LMI) communities (residents & small businesses), ensuring they can save money and contribute to a sustainable future. Additionally, the partnership will also develop an environmental education program for Saline County schools that builds a deeper connection with ecological systems, increases education around the environment, the importance of native plants and habitat protection.
Food Works of Southern Illinois
Food Works is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a sustainable food economy in Southern Illinois. Food Works serves the 23 southernmost Illinois counties and, at times, bordering areas in Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, and Arkansas. Since 2008, Food Works has provided training and support for new and existing growers, along with consumer education that helps people connect with local food and farming.
Sol’s partnership will enable Food Works to establish an incubator farm for demonstrating dual land use projects on solar sites (agrivoltaics) and expand the Food Works mobile farmers’ market in Saline County. The initiative aims to train beginning or transitioning farmers in sustainable practices, marketing, and producing food for local markets. It will also create a pipeline of farmers for the Incubator Farm, i.e. the mentees could go on to become mentors and work to address food insecurity in Saline County by expanding their mobile farmers’ market to new areas in Saline County.
Eldorado High School
Eldorado High School, part of Community Unit School District #4, in Eldorado, Illinois, serves a diverse student population in a rural region of southern Illinois. Approximately 70% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, highlighting the community’s significant economic challenges. Despite these obstacles, Eldorado High School remains committed to providing a high-quality education that supports all learners.
With Sol’s contribution, the school aims to establish a state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse cooperative. This initiative will provide hands-on learning experiences, real job skills, and fresh produce for the school lunch programs. This project would allow Eldorado High School to have one of the most advanced hydroponic cooperatives in the nation and help to establish the gold standard for a hands-on learning environment that allows students to learn how to grow food and plants, give back to the community, and provide for the nutritional needs of the school and community.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Saline County Extension 4-H program)
The Saline County Extension is the affiliate of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that serves Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline and White Counties in Illinois. Through extension, land-grant colleges and universities bring vital, practical information to agricultural producers, small business owners, consumers, families, and young people.
With Sol’s contribution, Saline County Extension will create new 4-H programming and expand access to 4-H groups for youth in the region. The new 4-H program will offer youth a new community experience that focuses on exploring agriculture and natural resources, food nutrition and the environment. The partnership includes fee sponsorship, targeted outreach/enrollment to under-resourced communities and assist all participants with career exploration and development. Extension will also implement hydroponic garden towers in partnership with local schools such as Eldorado High School, community organizations and as demonstration to support implementation of eco-friendly food sourcing.
Southern Illinois Community Foundation
Southern Illinois Community Foundation (SICF) is a community foundation that serves the 17 southernmost counties in Illinois including Saline County. Its mission is to engage the people of southern Illinois in developing a tradition of philanthropy and to create an opportunity for donors to contribute to local community development efforts to address the varying needs of the region.
To further amplify its commitment to the region, Sol will develop two funds. The first is a scholarship fund for graduating seniors, current students at 2–4-year colleges, universities, vocational and/or technical institutes, and non-tradition students who are residents in Saline and Randolph Counties where Sol’s current projects are located. The second fund will make grants to support community-based, community-benefiting non-profits and for-profit entities, including small businesses in the region. Grants funded through this initiative are intended to support programs that address programs such as efficiency & weatherization, energy access & resilience, STEM education / workforce Development, environmental Initiatives, among others, and provide wraparound and resilience support to community serving organizations.
Future Possibilities
We’re excited to support meaningful change through strong relationships with the people who live and work in communities such as Saline County. That is why our partnerships with local organizations are built on listening first and working together every step of the way. Our support goes beyond one-time donations; it’s a long-term investment in the people and a collaborative effort to build a better future together. As the Eldorado Solar Projects continue to grow, we’re committed to keeping local voices at the center of our work—ensuring our clean energy efforts reflect community priorities and values, protect the land, and create meaningful opportunities for years to come.
Sol Systems and Rivian celebrate new youth robotics program in North Carolina
Powering Education Through Partnership
Last month, the launch of Stokes County, North Carolina 4-H’s youth robotics program marked an exciting milestone made possible through a recent collaboration between Sol Systems and Rivian on the 50 MW ac Lick Creek Solar Project. Rivian and Sol Systems employees met with students in the program to engage in conversations about engineering, energy technologies, and innovation.
"By advancing work like the Lick Creek Solar Project, we are seizing a critical business opportunity to help propel our nation's electric grid into the future with more reliable electricity at lower prices for everyone,” said Andrew Peterman, Director of Advanced Energy Solutions at Rivian. “What makes this project so unique is that it provides an access point and funding to support the community more broadly, helping to invest in future engineers, scientists, and technical experts critical to the growth of the EV and energy industries.”
The new youth robotics initiative is a product of the innovative Community Impact Agreement with Sol Systems and is structured to share the benefits of energy technologies with local stakeholders. The Agreement builds on a previous transaction between Sol Systems and Pine Gate Renewables related to the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) generated from Pine Gate’s Lick Creek Solar Project in Walnut Cove, North Carolina.
A Collaboration with Impact Beyond Megawatts
The Sol Systems and Rivian partnership behind the Lick Creek Solar Project delivers dual benefits to the local community: it supports clean energy infrastructure while directly funding expanded access to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education—an investment in both the environment and future generations. This partnership is not only a step towards enabling a cleaner energy grid with greater reliability and affordability, but also demonstrates how businesses can utilize renewable energy procurement to make strategic investments that help improve communities.
Launched in Spring 2025, the robotics program will reach an estimated 80-100 middle school students across the county. Through hands-on learning with advanced robotics kits, students can engage their creativity and critical thinking skills—experiences that can spark lasting interest in science and technology careers.
Sol Systems' Senior Director of Impact, Adaora Ifebigh assists a 4-H camper in building a solar-powered car. Photo courtesy of Rivian.
A 4-H camper proudly shows off her completed solar-powered car. Photo courtesy of Rivian.
Hands-On Learning at STOKE’d for STEM
Putting this partnership into action, Sol Systems worked with Rivian and Pine Gate Renewables to plan a special and engaging day for Stokes County 4-H’s Youth Robotics Summer Camp, STOKE’d for STEM. The experience included a tour of the Lick Creek Solar Project and engaging STEM activities, such as building their very own solar-powered racing cars. The students also had the opportunity to highlight their new skills through a “show and tell” of the robots they designed and programmed throughout the week. They even had the opportunity to explore two Rivian R1Ts up close, sparking excitement and conversations about the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and innovation.
Voices from the Partnership
"Through hands-on robotics and real-world STEM experiences, our 4-H youth are developing critical skills and confidence,” said Taylor Hartman, Director of the 4-H Robotics program. “We’re excited to see how this program inspires the next generation of thinkers and doers."
“Programs like 4-H provide youth with a powerful foundation and the opportunity to envision what's possible for their future. Whether it’s building a robot at a STEM summer camp or touring a solar site, these moments spark curiosity and show youth that a future in clean energy and technology is within reach. That’s the heart of this partnership,” said Adaora Ifebigh, Senior Director of Community Impact at Sol Systems.
“Watching groups of students help each other build robots and explore the intersection of engineering, sustainability and innovation was really inspirational,” said Ted Foos, Rivian Technical Trades Instructor. “And it was great to work with the STOKE’d for STEM team to help bring this program to life. Our hope is that everyone who participated walked away with excitement about the opportunities a career in STEM provides.”
STOKE'd for STEM 4-H campers visit the Lick Creek solar project, managed by Pine Gate Renewables. Photo courtesy of Pine Gate Renewables.
Through this partnership, we are helping build an energy grid for the future—one that is more reliable, affordable, and cleaner for everyone.
