Solar is made easy with our new community solar option. This offer is open to District's 1 - 9 JCE Co-op members. All projects are fully subscribed at this time but If you would like to have your name on a waiting list to be contacted if any of the subscriptions become available in the future, please complete an interest form.
Benefits
North Mount Carroll Solar Array Project
The North Mount Carroll Solar Array is one of two projects JCE Co-op worked on with Bluestem Energy Solutions. The other, the Apple Canyon Lake project, is also fully subscribed. The solar array program offers potential savings on electric bills. Members pay a monthly subscription fee and receive credits on a per kilowatt (kWh) basis. Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time. View policy here.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Must be a JCE Co-op member with electric service in Districts 1-9
- Must be a single-phase account
- Must not already have solar (Rate 13)
- Have 12 months of historical electric consumption
- Members with less than 12 months of historical electricity consumption can submit interest to gain a spot on the waitlist to be contacted when all requirements have been met and a subscription becomes available.
Availability of subscriptions is limited. The North Mount Carroll Community Solar project is a 498 kilowatt (KW) alternating current (AC) array located in Carroll County.
Our Apple Canyon Lake Solar Project
Members pay a monthly subscription fee per kWh of production to enroll and receive credits on a per kWh basis (please refer to policy). Subscriptions are for 2.5 kW blocks, with up to two subscriptions per member (depending on use), not to be split between meters or locations. Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time. View Policy here.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Residential, single-phase accounts
- Power must be supplied by Dairyland Power Cooperative (Districts 1-9)
- Member does not already have solar (Rate 13)
- Have 12 months of historical electric consumptionMembers with less than 12 months of historical electricity consumption can submit interest to gain a spot on the waitlist to be contacted when
Members with less than 12 months of historical electricity consumption can submit interest to gain a spot on the waitlist to be contacted when all requirements have been met and a subscription becomes available.
This community solar project is made possible due to renewable energy credit (REC) sales through the “Illinois Shines”, the state-administered Adjustable Block Program. Read more about the program at the link below.
The community solar farm was by independent developer, Bluestem Energy Solutions. Bluestem owns and operates the project long term. JCE Co-op will purchase 100 percent of the power from the solar farm for the 25-year expected life of the project.
This program is independent of the existing Southview Solar Farm due to specific requirements from the state.
Illinois Shines Brochure Spanish Version
Mount Carroll/Apple Canyon Lake Projects FAQs
South View Solar Farm
Your co-op's first solar farm, South View Solar Farm, was constructed on three-quarters of an acre behind the east campus at the co-op’s headquarters in Elizabeth. The array consists of 456 solar panels with a combined capacity of 126.5 kW (dc). Each panel has a capacity of 275 watts. The solar array was commissioned in late December 2014.
Historical production data from December 2014 to August 8, 2023 can be viewed on the Sunny Portal.
Looking for other options? Evergreen is a great alternative if you're looking for a small renewable energy option. Evergreen is a renewable energy program available for homes, farms or businesses.
Historical production data from December 2014 to August 8, 2023 can be viewed on the Sunny Portal.