The installation of a new solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant at Community Center, 777 S. Bartlett Rd., was completed in late March 2023. The new system will provide an estimated energy savings of $3,700 per year.
In November 2022, the Streamwood Park District entered into a lease agreement with Connecticut-based energy supplier Realgy, LLC to provide the new solar plant as part of the Streamwood Park District’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.
The new system will generate 62,000kWh annually, equivalent to powering over 6 average Illinois homes per year. Utilizing solar also provides a clean alternative to coal. The new Community Center solar system will substitute 81 tons of coal burned which means removing 42,000 lbs. of CO2 into the environment annually, the equivalent of planting 3,300 trees.
“Our new solar array is part of several new projects that the park district is undertaking to provide economic, environmental, and health benefits for our residents,” said Streamwood Park District Executive Director Jeff Janda.
In the agreement, Realgy will pay for the installation and ongoing maintenance of the PV Solar Power Plant. The term of the lease is 25 years. The new PV Solar Power plant is a 52kW system. Based on the Community Center’s 2019 usage, the system is estimated to produce 1/3 of the building’s energy needs. The remainder of the energy needs will come from the power grid and be supplied by Realgy, which averages 5% below ComEd rates. Annual credits are built into the agreement for additional savings.
Additional renovations inside the Community Center are ongoing through late 2023. For more information about these and other renovations happening with the Streamwood Park District, visit our Projects page.