Illinois has seen several developments in the solar PV industry in the last ten days, including a further financing round on the Big Muddy Solar project that should take the development into operations, Standard Solar acquiring a parcel of 13 community solar projects and Generate Capital and TurningPoint Energy (TPE) opening a community solar project in the City of Sandwich.
Arevon closes second financing round for Big Muddy Solar Project
Renewable energy developer and operator Arevon Energy has closed a second round of finance this year with the Wells Fargo Bank for the 124MWdc Big Muddy Solar Project in Jackson County, Illinois. The latest US$120 million tax equity commitment comes after a US$183 million debt package agreed between the two in February this year.
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Construction on the Big Muddy facility began in 2025 and is set to reach commercial operations by the end of this year. The output from Big Muddy is subject to a power purchase agreement (PPA) with an unnamed American multinational technology company.
Arevon is growing its solar portfolio in the Midwest, which includes the Ratts 1 and Heirloom Solar projects, with a combined capacity of 264MWdc. Arevon has also secured three 20-year renewable energy credit contracts for its 275MWdc Panther Energy Project in Illinois, which is currently under development.
“Together, we remain focused on advancing American-made energy projects that create jobs, generate tax revenue for schools and local governments, and deliver long-term value for both our financial partners and host communities,” said Denise Tait, chief investment officer and interim chief financial officer at Arevon.
“We are proud to support Arevon’s continued growth in the Midwest,” added Andrew Kho, managing director at Wells Fargo renewable energy and environmental finance.
Standard Solar acquires 13 community solar projects
Standard Solar, a developer, owner and operator of commercial and community solar assets, has announced the acquisition of 13 community solar projects from Trajectory Energy Partners. Standard Solar will construct, own operate the assets in the long-term.
The 13 projects make up the ‘Tallgrass Portfolio’ and range in capacity from approximately 2.4MW to 6.6MW, totalling around 43.3MW. Standard Solar will develop them in communities including Du Quoin, Lincoln, Marengo, Poplar Grove and Rockford, and the developer expects them to reach operation in phased rollouts over the next two years.
In April this year, a report from Wood Mackenzie and the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) stated the community solar market exceeded 10GWdc of cumulative capacity in 2025, and the authors expected capacity in the sector to grow by 12% this year across the US.
“Trajectory has done the hard work required to bring a portfolio of this scale forward across multiple Illinois communities,” said Harry Benson, director of business development at Standard Solar. “These are exactly the kinds of strong, well-developed projects we want to add to our portfolio.”
Generate Capital, TPE launch 3.5MWac project in City of Sandwich
Last week, Generate Capital and TPE started commercial operations at a 3.5MWac community solar project in the City of Sandwich, under the Illinois Shines programme.
The City of Sandwich solar project covers around 23 acres, and comprises of single-axis tracking, backtracking and bifacial solar modules.
Construction on the complex was completed mid-2026 and includes agrivoltaic (agriPV) elements, including sheep grazing and native, pollinator-friendly plants. The project is part one of eight facilities in a 34.5MWac portfolio, developed by TPE and financed, built, owned and operated by Generate Capital.
Salar Naini, president of TPE, said: “Together with Generate, we’re delivering a project that combines community solar with responsible land stewardship, creating long-term value for subscribers, host communities, and Illinois’ broader clean energy transition.”
