Opening Doors to Opportunity: Jacksonville Promise and Lincoln Land Community College
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.
Building Community: Tilden Families Gather for a Day of Creativity and Learning
Blog |
By The Sol Systems Editorial Team
On June 12, the Tilden Village Hall hosted a cheerful and engaging birdhouse painting event that brought together children, families, and local volunteers for a morning of creativity and learning. Organized by Sol Systems, the owner of the Tilden solar project, with support from its construction partner McCarthy and the Tilden Public Library, the event aimed to involve youth from the Tilden and Sparta areas in a fun, hands-on activity while introducing them to the themes of renewable energy and land stewardship.
More than 30 children took part, painting wooden birdhouses that will be installed along the fenceline in and around the local solar project. They also learned how small actions—like providing shelter for birds—can make a positive impact on the environment. Designed to be simple and low-maintenance, the birdhouses served as a creative gateway to discussions about solar power and its connection to the natural world. Sol Systems team members prepared and tested the kits in advance to ensure they were ready for little hands.
Parents, grandparents, and volunteers joined in, creating a warm, intergenerational atmosphere. Pizza was shared, laughter filled the library, and children left with brightly painted birdhouses and big smiles.
The success of the event was evident in the enthusiastic response from the community. Many families expressed interest in future events, and the library noted the strong turnout. Plans are already underway for a possible follow-up event this fall.
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.
Welcoming the 2025 Sol Systems Summer Intern Class
Insights |
By The Sol Systems Team
By Ipinayo Ade-Akingboye
My name is 'Ayo Ade-Akingboye, the new marketing intern at Sol Systems. Every summer, Sol Systems welcomes a cohort of interns who bring curiosity, drive, and fresh ideas into the work of building America’s energy future. This year, I get to be part of that group—and introduce the incredible people I’m learning alongside.
The 2025 intern class comes from a range of academic and professional backgrounds like construction, physics, engineering, business, and more. What unites us is a shared belief that clean energy can do more than power the grid; it can power opportunity, community, and lasting impact. We’re contributing to real work from day one, and we’re learning from some of the best in the business—people who care deeply about what they do, and about the world we’re trying to build. Here’s a look at the 2025 intern class:
Saptarshi Dutta – Construction
Saptarshi (Rishi) is pursuing a Master’s in Construction Management Technology at Purdue University. Before joining Sol, he worked as a Project Engineer in India, managing commercial site execution, quantity takeoffs, RFIs, and subcontractor coordination. He was drawn to Sol because of its focus on clean energy and sustainable infrastructure. This summer, he’s excited to explore how solar projects are managed from start to finish, especially through the lens of a developer.
Ary Singh – Performance Asset Management
Ary is studying Physics and Economics at the University of Virginia. Over the past two summers, he worked in nuclear physics research at a Department of Energy facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where he focused on detector simulations. He joined Sol to gain experience in the renewable energy space and deepen his understanding of performance analysis in solar. He’s especially looking forward to working with data, exploring the asset side of clean energy.
Ipinayo Ade-Akingboye – Marketing
That’s me! I’m an MBA candidate at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Prior to Sol, I worked as a B2B product marketing manager at a fintech startup in Lagos, Nigeria, where I helped SMEs access and understand financial tools. I was drawn to Sol because of its commitment to clean energy, equity, and community impact. I’m excited to see how marketing supports this mission in telling the stories behind the projects and connecting people to the purpose that drives the work.
Alanna Pearson – Enterprise Business Development & Impact
Alanna studied Science, Technology, and International Affairs at Georgetown University, with a concentration in Energy and the Environment. Before joining Sol, she supported climate-related business development at Abt Global, taught in Brazil through the Fulbright Program, and worked as a Strategy Analyst at Deloitte. She was especially drawn to Sol’s Infrastructure + Impact approach and the way social value is embedded into project development. She’s excited to learn how that plays out on the ground through partnerships and strategy.
Belle Jiang – DevCo Engineering
Belle is entering her senior year at Carnegie Mellon University, where she studies Environmental Engineering and minors in Robotics. Last summer, she interned at NREL with the Thermal Energy Systems group, exploring hybrid geothermal and solar projects. She came to Sol because of its commitment to not just building solar projects but doing so in ways that benefit local ecosystems and communities. She’s looking forward to exploring the technical challenges of solar development and expanding her perspective on the renewable energy industry.
Khush Rajpurohit – Procurement
Khush is pursuing a Master’s in Engineering Management at Northeastern University, with a focus on supply chain, after earning his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering. He’s worked in supply chain roles at Kalyani Forge and Gita Trading in India, and most recently in operations and product development at a real estate startup. He joined Sol to gain deeper exposure to procurement in the renewable energy sector, especially in high-impact project environments. He’s eager to learn about contract negotiation, bidding, and logistics within the clean energy space.
Haritha Sridhar – Pre-Construction
Haritha is completing a Master’s in Construction Management and Technology at Arizona State University. Prior to Sol, she worked as a Project Manager in residential interior design and as an Assistant Project Coordinator on commercial and hospitality projects. She was drawn to Sol becauseof its integrated approach such as blending development, finance, and policy to create sustainable infrastructure. She’s looking forward to gaining hands-on experience on real projects, learning how clean energy projects move from concept to construction, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
It’s a privilege to work alongside this group of bright, driven individuals—and to learn from a company where mission and execution go hand in hand. We’re excited for the opportunity to contribute, grow, and be part of Sol’s efforts in building a more resilient and equitable energy future.
Why One-Size-Fits-All Clean Energy Strategies Fall Short
As data centers expand, electric vehicle use grows, and U.S. manufacturing scales up, electricity demand is rising significantly for the first time in decades. Businesses are being called to lead the transition to a more reliable and modern energy future. Yet navigating renewable energy procurement can be complex—and a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach won’t get us there.
The Corporate Load Is Growing, and So Are the Stakes
Companies already account for about 60% of U.S. retail electricity consumption. At the same time, expectations are rising around how organizations manage their energy use, emissions reporting, and operational resilience. With shifting federal guidance and regulatory changes on the horizon, businesses need flexible and strategic energy plans that support long-term growth and risk mitigation.
More Options Lead to Smarter Outcomes
Our latest white paper, Charting a Path Toward Clean Energy Procurement, helps organizations build energy strategies that are tailored, actionable, and future-ready. Inside, you'll find:
Guidance on clarifying your organization’s purpose for clean energy procurement
Strategies to align key stakeholders around shared goals
A breakdown of procurement pathways—from RECs to on-site solar, tax credit investments, and VPPAs
A side-by-side comparison of approaches based on complexity, timeline, emissions claims, and scale
Flexibility Over Rigidity
While “additionality” plays a role in advancing new projects, it should not be a gatekeeper. Organizations must be empowered to choose tools that align with their business priorities and resource capacity. Many are finding that options like RECs and community solar programs provide measurable benefits without the barriers of long-term infrastructure or procurement contracts.
Guidance That Supports Progress
Clean energy leaders—developers, investors, buyers, and operators—are aligned on one key point: limiting credible options will slow adoption and discourage action. What businesses need is clarity, not constraint.
At Sol Systems, we help organizations take thoughtful, practical steps toward clean energy procurement. Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand, your path forward should reflect your values, resources, and ambitions.
