Rockford's Community Solar Project Marks One Year of Savings and Jobs
News related to:Rock Cut Solar · 3 min read
ROCKFORD, IL, Sept. 16, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Rockford's first Community Driven Community Solar (CDCS) project, Rock Cut Solar, has marked a significant milestone in its first year of operation. The 35-acre site, located on the far west side of the city, features a 20,000-panel solar array with a 6.2 megawatt (MW) generation capacity, making it one of the largest community solar projects on the ComEd system.
The project, which serves nearly 690 residential customers in Winnebago County, has been a boon for local families and organizations. More than a third of the subscribers are lower-income residents, who are receiving a 50% discount on their monthly electricity bills. The remaining subscribers are saving up to 20% on their monthly bills.
During the one-year anniversary, a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony was held to rededicate the site as Mark Raeder Legacy I, honoring the late Summit Ridge co-founder, Mark Raeder. The project was spearheaded by Summit Ridge Energy, a leading commercial solar company, in partnership with Trajectory Energy Partners, a solar and energy storage developer, and ComEd.
The project has not only provided substantial savings to its subscribers but has also created numerous local jobs. The construction of Rock Cut Solar engaged multiple local labor unions, including Carpenters Local 792, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 364. The total working hours exceeded 33,000, with construction beginning in August 2024 and concluding in April 2025.
Rockford Mayor Janessa Neal, along with Illinois State Senator Steve Stadelman and Rockford Alderman Tamir Bell, joined representatives from Summit Ridge Energy and ComEd to celebrate the project's achievements.
Trajectory Energy Partners Founder and Managing Partner Jon Carson emphasized the project's community-driven nature, saying, "Seeing this site complete a full year of operation and deliver needed power to the ComEd grid, while providing savings to local subscribers demonstrates the benefit of community driven solar. Trajectory is proud to have worked alongside Rockford residents, community leaders, local union labor and Summit Ridge Energy and to honor Mark Raeder today by dedicating this site in his name."
ComEd President and CEO Gil Quiniones expressed his company's commitment to community solar, noting, "ComEd is fortunate to collaborate with leaders like Summit Ridge and Trajectory Energy Partners in the planning and interconnecting of projects like Mark Raeder Legacy I. These companies put customers and communities first and share our commitment to creating affordable energy solutions. They are also making Illinois one of the leading community solar markets in the nation, and ComEd is grateful for their partnership."
The Rock Cut Solar project, which includes the OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center as a commercial subscriber, exemplifies the broader wave of investment in Illinois community solar, made possible by the 2016 Future Energy Jobs Act and the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). ComEd now has more than 300 community solar projects interconnected to its system and expects to surpass 400 by the end of 2026. Summit Ridge and Trajectory have collaborated on 15 solar projects, working together across Illinois to expand access to affordable, locally generated power.
The project's community-first model reflects a commitment to local economic growth and sustainability. It serves as a model for other communities looking to implement similar solar projects, leveraging local partnerships and resources to create tangible benefits for residents and businesses.