Nonprofit Community Solar Partnerships
Clearbrook Has Cut Energy Costs by 20% With Common Energy
Adam Harrie — August 12, 2026
Clearbrook partnered with Common Energy to expand community solar access to more than 70 locations across the Chicago area. The solar agreement will provide monthly bill credits, reducing electricity costs by up to 20% over the next 20 years. As a nonprofit serving more than 8,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Clearbrook plans to reinvest the savings into its programs and services.
The partnership spans 16 community solar projects totaling 60 megawatts of capacity, expected to generate approximately 85 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually and avoid an estimated 2 billion pounds of carbon emissions over the projects' lifetimes.
This partnership shows how community solar can simultaneously reduce financial strain and advance clean energy adoption, allowing savings to flow directly back into services for vulnerable populations.
