Cultivate Power has completed the Bowes Solar array in Elgin, Illinois, on a 22-acre site. The project features a total capacity of 11 megawatts DC and is divided into two separate arrays to accommodate irregular land boundaries, high-voltage lines, and wetlands.
The installation utilizes a high-density racking system from Planted Solar. This technology allows for a footprint of approximately 2 acres per megawatt-peak, compared to the conventional requirement of 5–7 acres. The system also supports terrain slopes of up to 27 percent without requiring extensive grading.
The project provides electricity to 580 low- and moderate-income households, aiming to reduce energy costs by 20 percent. Additional beneficiaries include three small businesses, two towns, and a church, with power distributed through Commonwealth Edison.
The site is expected to generate $2.1 million in property tax revenue over the next 40 years. Cultivate Power has also made financial contributions to local organizations, including Elgin Community College and the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
Generate Capital, the equity investor for Cultivate Power, noted that such community solar models are applicable to both urban areas like Elgin and rural regions, where they provide energy savings to renters and lower-income families who cannot install private panels.
