Jubilee Solar delivers savings for schools and residents, generates local tax revenue, and paves the way for more clean energy under CRGA

Nexamp and Trajectory Energy Partners today celebrated the opening of Jubilee Solar, a 3 Megawatt community solar farm located on the campus of Brimfield Community Unit School District (CUSD) #309 in Peoria County. As the state’s first Illinois Shines Public Schools community solar project, built on public school property, Jubilee Solar represents a major milestone in the state’s clean energy transition and highlights the Peoria region’s long-standing leadership in embracing the benefits of renewable energy.

Jubilee Solar was developed by Trajectory and is built, owned, and operated by Nexamp. Featuring more than 5,400 solar panels and generating electricity that will serve area residents and businesses through community solar subscriptions, it is designed to deliver long-term economic and environmental benefits. The Brimfield School District is the anchor subscriber of the project. The project, which feeds energy to the Ameren utility grid, will offset the district’s energy costs by more than $22,000 every year—savings that school leaders say will support vital programming for students.

“We were pleased to make this project happen, especially after learning of the savings it will provide the school,” said Chad Jones, Brimfield CUSD 309 Superintendent. “Our district will save more than $22,000 every year on its energy bills. That is a significant amount of money that can be redirected toward future capital projects and other enrichments to better the school and student outcomes.”

As a qualified project under the Illinois Shines Public Schools category, Jubilee Solar takes advantage of the provision that enables public schools to host community solar installations, reduce their operational costs, and extend energy savings to the broader community. Area residents and businesses can subscribe to the project and save up to 15% on their energy bills, without having to install panels on their own property.

“Peoria County knows the value of community solar projects firsthand, and the value of finding the right partners to work with when building them,” said James Dillon, Chairperson of the Peoria County Board. “We partnered with Trajectory Energy Partners on an earlier project to realize savings for our own county budget while putting clean, reliable energy onto the Ameren grid, and I’m heartened to see that same kind of progress for our local communities come online for the Brimfield School District.”

“Ameren Illinois is proud to partner with renewable energy developers on projects like Jubilee Solar that are accelerating the clean energy transition throughout Illinois,” noted Andy Parker, Director, Clean Energy Transition, Ameren. “By working together, we’re advancing a modern, flexible grid that can better serve our customers and provide real savings to organizations like the Brimfield School District and households across our service area. Our commitment is to ensure that all of our communities share in the opportunities that come with a cleaner energy future.”

“The Jubilee Solar Project serving the Brimfield School District and community was a win for clean energy and a win for workers. With skilled men and women from LiUNA and Peoria County Laborers Local 165 on the job, the project was built safely, professionally, and to the highest standards our industry demands,” added Dane Simpson, Renewable Energy Director for Great Plains Laborers - Employers Trust.

Nexamp emphasized the importance of innovative programs and strong local partnerships. “This project demonstrates how solar can deliver meaningful, lasting value for communities,” observed Jessica Collingsworth, Central Policy Director, Nexamp. “By collaborating with local leaders and prioritizing the needs of the school and residents, Jubilee Solar is more than just another generation resource—it provides savings, opportunity, and long-term resilience. We’re proud to work with Trajectory to bring forward a project that will serve as a model for districts across Illinois.”

“Today marks a milestone, not just for the Brimfield School District, but the entire state of Illinois,” said Kiersten Sheets, Senior Project Manager for Trajectory Energy Partners. “The opportunity to create Jubilee Solar through the Illinois Shines program is a model of collaboration between local leaders, developers, and policymakers to maximize the many benefits solar projects provide. We’re thrilled to have Jubilee Solar as an example of this important work, and to partner with Nexamp to bring the benefits of Jubilee Solar to the Brimfield community for years to come.”

The project is expected to generate ongoing tax revenue while contributing to grid stability and lowering energy costs for subscribers.

Jubilee Solar comes online just weeks after the passage of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act, which strengthens the Illinois Shines program, accelerates clean energy deployment, and strengthens labor standards across the industry. CRGA is projected to bring up to 17.4 Gigawatts of renewable energy online by 2035, creating thousands of jobs, driving billions in local investment, and lowering energy bills for Illinois families and businesses.

As Nexamp continues to expand its presence in Illinois, including its second headquarters in Chicago, the company remains committed to partnering with communities across the state to advance clean energy access, economic opportunity, and a more resilient power grid.