Public Storage and Solar Landscape plan 60 rooftop community solar projects across northern Illinois that will add about 44 megawatts to the ComEd grid. State laws including the Clean and Renewable Grid Affordability Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act are supporting the expansion, which is expected to create roughly 300 construction jobs. Training partnerships have prepared 139 people since 2024, and Public Storage aims to reach about 1,300 properties by the end of 2026.
Public Storage, Solar Landscape to Deploy 60 Rooftop Community Solar Sites in Northern Illinois, Adding 44 MW
Photo Credit: Public Storage
Electricity demand in northern Illinois is rising faster than supply, and developers are turning to rooftop community solar to add capacity quickly while avoiding the conversion of open land.
Project Overview
Public Storage — which expanded its community solar program across Illinois, Maryland and New Jersey in 2023 — and partner Solar Landscape plan to develop 60 rooftop community solar installations across northern Illinois. The sites are expected to provide about 44 megawatts of capacity to the grid within the ComEd service territory, according to reporting by Solar Panel World.
“With demand for power rising faster than supply, community solar sites like this one offer a clean energy solution that can help close the supply gap and offer bill savings for customers,” ComEd President and CEO Gil Quiniones said in a statement.
Policy Support and Scale
State legislation such as the Clean and Renewable Grid Affordability Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is helping drive growth in community solar. ComEd expects its northern Illinois territory could ultimately host roughly 400 community solar installations as the program scales.
Jobs, Training and Local Benefits
The 60-site rooftop buildout is projected to support about 300 construction jobs during installation. Local workforce and training organizations — including the Chicago Urban League, STEP-UP Solar, YouthBuild Lake County, the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association and other Illinois YouthBuild programs — have trained 139 people since 2024 to prepare residents for clean energy careers.
Why Rooftop Community Solar?
Installing solar on underused commercial roofs enables faster deployment than building new ground-mounted facilities and avoids additional land use. Adding cleaner electricity to the grid also reduces reliance on fuel-burning generation, lowering associated pollution.
Access for Renters and Homeowners
Community solar expands access to clean energy for renters and homeowners who cannot install panels on their own properties, offering potential utility bill savings. Homeowners who can install rooftop systems continue to see significant long-term energy savings, and adding battery storage can protect households during outages and help shift usage away from high-price periods.
Public Storage's chief legal officer and executive sponsor for sustainability, Nathan Vitan, said the company expects its program to expand to roughly 1,300 properties by the end of 2026. “We're proud to partner with ComEd and Solar Landscape to demonstrate how commercial properties can deliver maximum value as community assets,” Vitan added.
Resources
Independent marketplaces and comparison tools (for example, EnergySage) can help consumers estimate savings, compare installation quotes, explore battery options and identify state-level incentives that affect the price of rooftop solar.
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