Standard Solar Acquires 6.3 MW Community Solar Project From Calvert Energy, Leveraging Safe Harbor Strategy For Faster Project Execution

Standard Solar, a leading developer and owner of commercial and community solar assets in the United States, has acquired the 6.3-megawatt (MW) Plaines II West Community Solar Garden located in Channahon, Illinois, from Calvert Energy. This acquisition highlights how Standard Solar effectively utilizes safe-harbored panels to speed up project development, take advantage of federal incentives, and broaden access to renewable energy across the country.

According to John Finnerty, Director of Business Development at Standard Solar, “Having secured a large inventory of safe-harbored panels, we’re able to move projects like Plaines II West quickly from acquisition to operation. That ability to act fast turns development opportunities into operating assets sooner — delivering reliable clean energy and measurable value for our partners and communities nationwide.”

The Plaines II West solar project, located on Amoco Road in Channahon, features a single-axis tracker array designed to optimize energy generation throughout the day. It is expected to produce approximately 9,944 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity in its first year — enough to power nearly 1,000 average Illinois homes annually. This makes it an important contributor to the state’s renewable energy goals and local sustainability efforts.

Brian Quinlan, President and CEO of Calvert Energy, commented, “Partnering with Standard Solar on Plaines II West ensures the project will deliver long-term value for subscribers and the local community. Standard Solar’s expertise in community solar ownership and operations makes them an ideal partner to carry this project forward — turning development potential into dependable, renewable energy for Illinois residents and businesses.”

“Partnerships like this one exemplify the power of collaboration in bringing community solar to life,” Finnerty added. “We’re proud to work with experienced developers like Calvert Energy to accelerate clean energy adoption and deliver real benefits to communities nationwide.”

The acquisition adds to Standard Solar’s expanding community solar footprint in Illinois, which now includes more than a dozen projects with a combined capacity of over 30 MW. On a national scale, the company’s community solar portfolio has grown to nearly 500 MW of owned, operating, and under-construction projects. This demonstrates Standard Solar’s scale, technical expertise, and continued commitment to expanding access to clean energy through efficient project execution and long-term asset ownership.

Originally developed by Calvert Energy, the Plaines II West project will now be owned and operated by Standard Solar, ensuring that the region benefits from both sustained economic impact and reduced carbon emissions. Through the project’s subscription model, local residents and businesses can participate in the clean energy transition and lower their electricity costs without needing to install solar panels on their own properties.