Emily Solar

Project introduction

Stretching across Clark, Cumberland and Coles Counties in eastern Illinois, the Emily Solar project adds 273.6 megawatts of homegrown electricity to the regional grid. That output can power more than 46,000 homes and businesses, helping keep the lights on in neighborhoods, farms, and main street shops across the area. Emily Solar delivers cost‑competitive, reliable electricity at a time when Illinois communities are using more power than ever.

RWE has been investing in Illinois for 15 years, primarily through wind projects. Emily Solar is RWE’s first solar facility in the state and marks an important expansion of that long‑standing presence. With Emily Solar online, RWE’s total operating capacity in Illinois reaches 1 gigawatt across two solar and three wind projects. That scale strengthens regional energy security by adding diverse, domestic generating resources that can serve homes, industry, and agriculture.

Energy demand is rising as new industries expand, farms rely on more electric equipment, and residents expect dependable power for everything from home heating to data use. Projects like Emily Solar are fast‑to‑market solutions that help meet those growing energy needs without waiting decades for new infrastructure. The result is more reliable electricity, stronger local economies, and a durable source of tax revenue for Clark, Cumberland and Coles Counties over the project’s operating life.

Status: in operation

Site location

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Press Releases

Facts & figures

00 MW

solar generating capacity serving the Illinois grid

00 Homes

equivalent homes and businesses powered with domestic electricity each year

00 Jobs

supported at peak during the construction phase

$ 00 Million

estimated property tax revenue for Clark, Cumberland and Coles Counties over the project life

00 GW

total RWE operating capacity in Illinois across two solar and three wind projects

00 Years

RWE track record of operating energy projects in Illinois

Project Benefits

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Long‑term revenue for local services

Emily Solar is expected to generate about $30 million in property tax revenues for Clark, Cumberland and Coles Counties over its operating life. For rural counties with limited large‑scale commercial development, that steady revenue can make a visible difference. County leaders can use those funds to maintain roads, support local schools, and strengthen emergency services without increasing the tax burden on residents. Year after year, the project helps keep essential public services on stable financial footing, turning a one‑time construction effort into decades of local benefit.

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Jobs and opportunity across the heartland

At peak activity, roughly 400 workers were on site building Emily Solar. Many of those paychecks went to people who already live in or near Clark, Cumberland and Coles Counties, as well as to regional suppliers who provided materials, equipment, and services. That hiring pattern matches RWE’s broader approach across America’s heartland. The company aims to use local labor where possible and to work with contractors who know the region’s roads, weather, and working conditions. The result is more income for local families and more business for nearby shops, restaurants, and service providers.

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Reliable power for homes, farms, and industry

Illinois is seeing rising electricity demand from several directions at once. Homes are using more electric appliances, farms depend on powered equipment and storage, and new businesses and data‑heavy operations need round‑the‑clock power. Emily Solar adds 273.6 megawatts of capacity that can help meet those needs. By feeding predictable, clean electricity into the grid, the project supports reliability for customers across Clark, Cumberland and Coles Counties and beyond. When combined with RWE’s Illinois wind projects, Emily Solar is part of a diverse mix of resources that can help keep power available when people need it.

Stronger Electric Grid

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Building a more dependable Illinois grid

For most people, grid reliability comes down to simple questions. Do the lights stay on during hot summer afternoons when air conditioners are running in nearly every home? Can local factories and grain handling facilities count on steady power so they do not have to stop production? Emily Solar helps answer those questions with a larger, more resilient supply of electricity. The project’s 273.6 megawatts feed into the regional grid that serves Clark, Cumberland and Coles Counties and surrounding areas. That added capacity supports the system during high‑demand periods and can reduce the strain on older power plants.

A stronger grid can mean fewer outages, faster restoration after storms, and less dependence on electricity imported from other regions. It can also help keep prices steadier by pairing local supply with local demand. With Emily Solar and RWE’s other Illinois projects in place, more of the electricity that powers homes and businesses is generated in‑state. That homegrown approach supports energy independence while aligning with the needs of utilities, cooperatives, and large customers who value reliable, domestic sources of power.

A long‑term energy partner for Clark, Cumberland and Coles Counties

Emily Solar represents more than a single project on the landscape. It is part of a long‑term partnership between RWE and communities across Illinois. For 15 years, RWE has operated wind projects in the state, paying local taxes, working with county officials, and supporting jobs. With the addition of this 273.6 megawatt solar facility, RWE widens that footprint and deepens its ties to Clark, Cumberland and Coles Counties. The combined 1 gigawatt of operating capacity in Illinois shows how sustained investment can build over time into meaningful local and regional benefits.

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Over the next 20 to 30 years, the revenue from Emily Solar can help counties plan for the future with greater confidence. School districts can consider needed building upgrades or new programs knowing that a steady stream of tax funding is expected. County road departments can budget for maintenance on key farm‑to‑market routes. Emergency services can maintain or improve equipment and training. These decisions play out slowly and locally, but the impact on quality of life is real. Residents may not think of a solar project when they drive on a newly resurfaced road or attend a well‑equipped school, yet the connection is there.

The project also adds to the quiet, everyday reliability that people expect when they flip a switch or plug in a device. As more aspects of life in Illinois depend on electricity, from home heating and cooling to the grain dryers that support harvest season, having additional domestic generating capacity becomes increasingly important. Emily Solar responds to that need with a facility designed to run for decades, supported by an operator that has already spent years working in the state. It stands as a visible sign that Clark, Cumberland and Coles Counties are part of a broader story of American energy growth, rural opportunity, and homegrown power that serves both local residents and the wider region.

RWE’s long history in Illinois means the company comes to Clark, Cumberland and Coles Counties with existing relationships and experience working with rural communities. During construction of Emily Solar, local businesses provided services such as grading, concrete, transportation, lodging, and food, helping spread the project’s economic impact beyond the site fence. Over the life of the project, RWE expects to remain an active presence, coordinating with county officials on road use, emergency access, and other practical matters tied to day‑to‑day operations. Detailed information on specific educational partnerships or sponsorships for Emily Solar has not been provided. With that information, this section could highlight named programs, local schools, or community organizations that have received support connected to the project.

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