Aspen Power's community solar garden providing renewable energy to local homes.
Illinois, September 4, 2025
Aspen Power has successfully acquired two community solar projects in Illinois, adding a total of 13.9 MWdc of capacity. Located in Grafton and Mattoon, these projects are expected to generate over 19 million kWh annually, enough to power approximately 2,770 homes. This initiative supports local residents and businesses through electricity bill discounts and aligns with Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which promotes renewable energy access for low- and moderate-income households.
Aspen Power has acquired two community solar projects in Illinois that together add 13.9 megawatts direct current (MWdc) of capacity. The sites are in Grafton and Mattoon. The projects are expected to generate more than 19 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) each year, roughly enough energy to power about 2,770 homes annually.
The two projects were purchased from Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure (GSI). They will operate as community solar gardens, where local residents and businesses can subscribe to receive electricity bill discounts. The acquisition is part of a broader portfolio that spans Illinois and New York and includes additional sites nearing completion.
The new Grafton and Mattoon installations add to Aspen Power’s growing presence in Illinois. The company recently closed on another 14.1 MW portfolio in Illinois and has announced plans to acquire 20 additional community solar projects totaling up to 19 MW. Aspen says it works with businesses and local communities to develop, own and operate distributed renewable energy assets and aims to reach gigawatt scale by mid-decade.
Illinois has become a strong market for community solar, driven in part by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). That state law is designed to expand access to renewable energy and includes provisions to benefit low- and moderate-income households. Community solar programs in Illinois are structured to allow subscribers who cannot install panels at their own properties to share electricity from nearby solar arrays and receive savings on their bills.
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) estimates the two projects will support around 265 jobs. Beyond direct employment during construction and operations, community solar projects often involve local services and supply chains. The acquisition also continues a trend of partnerships between project developers and independent power producers (IPPs), which help move projects from development to operation.
The seller, GSI, operates as a subsidiary of a larger group and focuses on developing distributed generation and utility-scale solar and storage projects. As of 2025, GSI has developed about 581 MWdc across 82 renewable energy projects and reports an additional pipeline of roughly 2.8 gigawatts (GW).
The Grafton and Mattoon gardens are intended to serve nearby residents and businesses that subscribe. Subscribers typically receive a credit or discount on their electricity bills, making clean energy more affordable for people who cannot install rooftop systems. The projects expand local options for renewable power while supporting state goals for cleaner electricity and broader access.
The deal reinforces a broader push to scale community solar and other distributed projects across the U.S. Aspen Power’s recent deals and stated targets point to continued acquisitions and development as it moves toward larger scale operations. Developers and IPPs working together remain a common approach to accelerate project delivery and to bring new community solar capacity online.
Aspen Power bought two community solar projects in Grafton and Mattoon, Illinois, with a combined capacity of 13.9 MWdc.
The projects are expected to generate over 19 million kWh per year, the equivalent of powering about 2,770 homes annually.
The projects were purchased from Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure (GSI).
Local residents and businesses can subscribe to the community solar gardens and receive discounts on electricity bills. The projects also support local jobs and broader state renewable energy goals.
Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) has helped make community solar more accessible, including provisions to benefit low- and moderate-income households.
Aspen Power aims to grow to gigawatt scale by mid-decade and to deploy distributed generation projects across the U.S. The company has completed other Illinois deals and plans further acquisitions.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total capacity | 13.9 MWdc |
| Locations | Grafton and Mattoon, Illinois |
| Estimated annual generation | Over 19 million kWh |
| Homes powered (equivalent) | Approximately 2,770 homes |
| Seller | Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure (GSI) |
| Jobs supported (SEIA estimate) | About 265 jobs |
| Policy driver | Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) |
| Aspen Power goals | Reach gigawatt scale by mid-decade; expand distributed generation across the U.S. |
| GSI portfolio (as of 2025) | ~581 MWdc developed across 82 projects; ~2.8 GW pipeline |
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