Over $500MM worth of projects in active
development and $725,500 in committed charitable donations
TurningPoint Energy (TPE), a renewable energy company focused on
community solar development, issued an update today on its
commitment to expand community solar in the State of Illinois.
In July 2022, TurningPoint Energy announced plans to develop
more than 40 community solar projects in Illinois over the coming
years with an aggregate value of over $500MM that will provide
enough community solar bill credits to support over 45,000 Illinois
homes each year. By June 2024, TPE had already met its initial
target, and is on track to substantially exceed this goal over the
next five years.
In conjunction with its community solar project development goal
for the state, TPE also committed to contribute over $500,000 in
charitable and community investment to local Illinois community
organizations. TPE is on track to surpass this goal as well, with
over $725,500 committed or given to date.
The company’s community investment efforts support local
community assistance and educational initiatives such as the United
Way of Livingston County and student innovation and environmental
stewardship programs at the Pontiac Township High School District
90.
TPE’s $20,000 donation to the United Way of Livingston County
will support its mission to improve life for financially struggling
essential workforce and community members earning just above the
poverty level as part of its local Asset Limited,
Income-Constrained, Employed (ALICE) program.
"This funding comes at a time when we have experienced the
greatest need to date from hardworking local residents and families
who still struggle to survive," said Deb Howard, Executive Director
of the United Way of Livingston County. "TurningPoint Energy's
donation will enable us to support up 40 ALICE program families
with housing or other much needed assistance."
TPE’s $15,000 donation to Pontiac Township High School District
90 will support two programs: Celebrating High School Innovators
(CHSI) and Operation Endangered Species (OES).
CHSI first began in 2012 and endeavors to identify, foster, and
engage the best and brightest students across the globe and offer
them a platform to showcase their ingenuity.
“Students today can do more than anyone can imagine,” said Paul
Ritter, Director and Co-Founder of CHSI. “These funds allow us to
prepare these exceptional students by fostering their passion and
innovation, as well as providing them with the necessary tools to
elevate them to a whole new plane and have a positive local,
national, and even global impact now. Having TurningPoint Energy as
a corporate community partner for this program will increase our
reach and give more students the opportunity to achieve their true
brilliance with the support of CHSI.”
Through OES, students learn about habitat restoration, climate
change, and environmental stewardship through hands-on intervention
efforts to reintroduce Illinois endangered species. Formed in 2008
by a group of Pontiac Township High School District 90 students,
OES collaborates with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources,
as well as numerous high schools, junior high and elementary
schools to provide students interactive learning opportunities with
endangered species.
"We appreciate TurningPoint Energy's contribution to Operation
Endangered Species," said Cal Hackler, OES Assistant Director.
"This donation will support our efforts to provide what our
teachers strive for: impactful, hands-on learning beyond the
traditional classroom setting that expands students' awareness of
both the environment around them, as well as how they fit into that
environment. The funding also supports our staff by providing them
with tools to engage their students in cross-curricular
instruction."
In September 2021, Illinois substantially expanded its community
solar program when Governor JB Pritzker signed into law S.B. 2408,
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. The comprehensive renewable
bill created a pathway to 100% clean energy in the State by 2050,
including expanding community solar for the benefit of local
homeowners, businesses, municipalities, and other
organizations.
“As a proud sponsor of CEJA, which paved the way for expanding
community solar in Illinois, I am thrilled to see our vision
becoming a reality,” said Illinois House Leader Marcus C. Evans,
Jr., the primary House sponsor of the Climate and Equitable Jobs
Act. “This $500 million worth of solar developments not only
bolsters our economy, but also creates good-paying jobs with more
equitable access for historically underserved communities. As we
harness the power of the sun, we’re not just meeting our climate
goals; we’re also empowering our citizens, and I’m grateful to our
partners like TurningPoint Energy for helping us transform our
energy economy.”
Over the past two years, TurningPoint Energy’s Midwest team has
engaged with landowners interested in leasing or selling their
property for solar development, communities willing to support
clean energy projects, and local partners to help see these
portfolios to fruition. TPE could not have made any of this
possible without the leadership of legislative champions like House
Leader Evans and Governor Pritzker.
“These projects will meaningfully support Illinois’s climate,
equity, and workforce development goals. They will benefit local
communities by providing clean energy access at a savings,
increased tax revenue for communities, long-term income for
landowners who host solar projects, and impactful investment in
local charitable and community organizations,” said Salar Naini,
President of TurningPoint Energy. “We are honored to support
organizations and educational initiatives like the United Way of
Livingston County, CHSI, and OES. TPE and its partners look forward
to investing in many more organizations that align with the goals
of CEJA across Illinois.”
TPE is also committed to contributing to Illinois’s tourism
revenue; the company is hosting its semi-annual company meeting in
the state this month.
About TurningPoint Energy
TurningPoint Energy is a privately held clean energy
development, advisory and investment company with over 1 GW in
large-scale and community solar projects in operation or under
development across the United States. Our team adapts to each
client’s needs and finds ways to invest in our clients and their
communities… at every turning point. For more information, please
visit turningpoint-energy.com. Connect with TurningPoint Energy via
LinkedIn.
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Media Inquiries: Christy Scott, Director of Marketing,
TurningPoint Energy, cscott@tpoint-e.com