Through Illinois Shines, a state program to make clean and renewable solar energy accessible throughout Illinois, Carle Health is expanding solar energy accessibility within the region. As the system joins a growing movement to bring renewable energy resources to local communities, several Carle Health locations have signed on to be anchor subscribers to a community solar project.
Community solar projects are large solar installations in a specific electric utility territory shared by multiple subscribers. Eligible residents and organizations receive credits on their utility bills for their share of power generated. These projects allow individuals, businesses, schools, and other customers to access clean energy when installing solar panels on their property is not practical or possible.
Community solar projects create multiple benefits to the surrounding communities, reducing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and electric utility bill costs while improving environmental health and expanding economic development.
“The first two locations in the Carle Health system to participate in Illinois Shines community solar projects are Carle Health Methodist Hospital and Carle Health Methodist Atrium Medical Office Center in Peoria,” said Anthony Corso, manager of Sustainability and Energy for Carle Health. “Throughout 2025 and into 2026, more locations throughout the Carle Health system will become community solar anchor subscribers. As anchor subscribers, we’re helping to drive the development of clean, renewable energy in the communities we serve.”
Anchor subscribers are larger organizations like local businesses, non-profit organizations or government institutions that subscribe to a significant portion of a community solar project’s electricity generation. This is typically around 40 percent of electricity generation. Anchor subscribers help make these large solar developments possible and reduce subscription costs to non-anchor subscribers in the surrounding community, allowing other eligible residents and organizations to benefit from these projects.
“Other sustainability projects across the system have had a positive environmental impact,” said Nicholas Crompton, Vice President, Construction and Facility Services for Carle Health. “Carle Foundation Hospital has begun a food waste prevention program – reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Carle BroMenn Medical Center participates in a composting program that diverts food scraps from landfills to create nutrient-rich compost lawns and gardens. At Carle Health Pekin Hospital, occupancy sensors help reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling and is just one example of system-wide efforts to promote energy efficiency and good resource stewardship.”
“Carle Health is committed to building a legacy of sustainability and environmental stewardship,” Corso said. “Our sustainability initiatives have a measurable impact on the communities we serve and are an important part of our mission to be a trusted healthcare partner.”
Carle Health Center for Philanthropy invested $1 million in donations to the Greatest Needs Funds from across the system to make this important work possible. Carle Health is committed to being an active partner in the communities we serve to advance sustainability efforts that support community health and well-being. For more information on Carle Health sustainability efforts and on-going projects, visit Carle.org.
Community solar projects are large solar installations in a specific electric utility territory shared by multiple subscribers. Eligible residents and organizations receive credits on their utility bills for their share of power generated. These projects allow individuals, businesses, schools, and other customers to access clean energy when installing solar panels on their property is not practical or possible.
Community solar projects create multiple benefits to the surrounding communities, reducing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and electric utility bill costs while improving environmental health and expanding economic development.
“The first two locations in the Carle Health system to participate in Illinois Shines community solar projects are Carle Health Methodist Hospital and Carle Health Methodist Atrium Medical Office Center in Peoria,” said Anthony Corso, manager of Sustainability and Energy for Carle Health. “Throughout 2025 and into 2026, more locations throughout the Carle Health system will become community solar anchor subscribers. As anchor subscribers, we’re helping to drive the development of clean, renewable energy in the communities we serve.”Anchor subscribers are larger organizations like local businesses, non-profit organizations or government institutions that subscribe to a significant portion of a community solar project’s electricity generation. This is typically around 40 percent of electricity generation. Anchor subscribers help make these large solar developments possible and reduce subscription costs to non-anchor subscribers in the surrounding community, allowing other eligible residents and organizations to benefit from these projects.
“Other sustainability projects across the system have had a positive environmental impact,” said Nicholas Crompton, Vice President, Construction and Facility Services for Carle Health. “Carle Foundation Hospital has begun a food waste prevention program – reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Carle BroMenn Medical Center participates in a composting program that diverts food scraps from landfills to create nutrient-rich compost lawns and gardens. At Carle Health Pekin Hospital, occupancy sensors help reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling and is just one example of system-wide efforts to promote energy efficiency and good resource stewardship.”
“Carle Health is committed to building a legacy of sustainability and environmental stewardship,” Corso said. “Our sustainability initiatives have a measurable impact on the communities we serve and are an important part of our mission to be a trusted healthcare partner.”
Carle Health Center for Philanthropy invested $1 million in donations to the Greatest Needs Funds from across the system to make this important work possible. Carle Health is committed to being an active partner in the communities we serve to advance sustainability efforts that support community health and well-being. For more information on Carle Health sustainability efforts and on-going projects, visit Carle.org.
Categories: Community
Tags: Community, Energy, Facilities, Green, Project, Renewable, Solar, Sustainability