Chicago's Clean Energy Blueprint: How the Windy City is Powering All Municipal Buildings with 100% Renewable Energy
As of January 1, 2025, Chicago has achieved a significant milestone by transitioning all city-owned buildings and operations to 100% renewable energy. This accomplishment positions Chicago as one of the largest U.S. cities to power its municipal operations entirely with clean energy, reducing the city’s carbon emissions by approximately 290,000 metric tons annually – the equivalent of removing 62,000 cars from the road.
A substantial portion of this renewable energy is sourced from the Double Black Diamond Solar project, a 593-megawatt solar farm developed by Swift Current Energy in central Illinois. Chicago has committed to purchasing about half of the installation’s total output, covering approximately 70% of its municipal electricity needs. The remaining 30% is addressed through the purchase of renewable energy credits. Spanning 3,800 acres across Sangamon and Morgan counties, the Double Black Diamond Solar project is now the largest solar installation east of the Mississippi River, with the capacity to produce enough electricity to power more than 100,000 homes.
This achievement is part of Chicago’s broader climate action strategy, which includes a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 62% by 2040. The city’s commitment to renewable energy not only addresses environmental concerns but also stimulates economic growth through job creation and investment in clean energy infrastructure.
A Sustainability Blueprint
Chicago’s remarkable transition to powering all municipal buildings with 100% renewable energy is more than just a local success story – it serves as a blueprint for other cities aiming to prioritize sustainability while fostering economic resilience. However, this transition didn’t happen overnight. It is the result of years of legislative groundwork and innovative programs that have transformed Illinois into a leader in clean energy.
Building the Foundation: FEJA and Illinois Shines
The foundation for Chicago’s clean energy success was laid in 2016 with the passage of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA). This landmark legislation positioned Illinois as a leader in renewable energy by introducing robust support for solar and wind energy development, establishing energy efficiency targets, and allocating funding for workforce training, particularly in underserved communities.
FEJA set the precedent for large-scale renewable energy adoption in Illinois. By creating incentives for solar and wind projects and ensuring utilities participated in the clean energy transition, it paved the way for ambitious projects like the Double Black Diamond Solar farm. This legislation also spurred economic growth, helping Illinois attract significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure while creating thousands of jobs in the clean energy sector.
While programs like Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) have played a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to renewable energy for income-eligible households, Chicago’s municipal energy initiative is more closely tied to the broader impacts of FEJA. By addressing systemic barriers and laying a strong foundation for renewable energy adoption, FEJA enabled cities like Chicago to take bold steps toward sustainability.
Amplifying Impact
To share these inspiring stories and educate others, we’re excited to present our latest YouTube video, which includes highlights from our recent conversation with the ILSFA Associate Director. During this interview, we explored the transformative impact of programs like Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) in advancing renewable energy access and equity across the state.
This video focuses on the Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) program, featuring insights from the ILSFA Associate Director. In our conversation, we discussed how the program works, who it benefits, and its transformative impact on advancing renewable energy equity across the state. By breaking down its core elements, this segment provides a detailed look at the role of ILSFA in making clean energy accessible and affordable for income-eligible communities.
Through this video, we aim to showcase how legislative action, public-private partnerships, and community engagement can come together to create meaningful change. Chicago’s leap into 100% renewable energy serves as proof of what’s possible when forward-thinking policies and programs align with local commitment.
Scaling Sustainability Nationwide
As Chicago leads by example, it provides a roadmap for other cities across the nation. This success demonstrates that investing in renewable energy isn’t just an environmental imperative—it’s a pathway to economic stability, job creation, and community empowerment. By building on precedents set by legislation like FEJA, municipalities nationwide can achieve similar milestones, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future.
Check out our YouTube video below to learn more about Chicago’s clean energy journey and how your community can take the next step toward sustainability:
