For subscribers & residents
No. Rooftop solar is installed on your own property and requires ownership, a suitable roof, and often a significant upfront investment. Community solar is a shared installation built on separate land. You subscribe and receive bill credits. No panels on your property, no equipment, no upfront cost.
No. Renters, homeowners, and businesses can all subscribe to community solar. You just need an electricity account with the local utility. Illinois law specifically prioritizes access for income-qualified households.
Savings vary by project and subscription size, but typical residential subscribers save $25 to $45 per month on their electricity bills. There is no cost to enroll and no long-term commitment required for most programs.
No. You keep your existing utility. Community solar credits appear on your regular electricity bill as a line-item reduction. Nothing about your service changes. You just pay less.
If you move within the same utility territory, your subscription typically transfers with you. If you move outside the service area, you can cancel your subscription. There are no long-term lock-in penalties for residential subscribers in most Illinois community solar programs.
What municipal leaders ask us
No. Kane Energy funds 100% of development, construction, and ongoing operations. The municipality contributes the land via a long-term lease and receives guaranteed annual payments in return. There is no capital outlay, bond requirement, or budget allocation needed from the city.
Kane Energy is contractually obligated to fully decommission the solar installation and restore the land to its original condition. A decommissioning bond is posted before construction begins to guarantee this. The land remains in the municipality’s ownership throughout the entire project life.
Residents subscribe to the community solar project and receive credits on their monthly electricity bills. Savings typically range from $25 to $45 per month. There is no cost to enroll, no equipment to install, and no change to their utility service. Illinois law prioritizes access for income-qualified households.
Ideal sites are vacant or underutilized parcels of 20 acres or more, with proximity to electrical infrastructure and favorable zoning. Former industrial sites, brownfields, closed landfills, and agricultural land can all be strong candidates. Kane Energy evaluates each site for solar potential, interconnection viability, and environmental compatibility at no cost.
Typical community solar projects take 18 to 24 months from initial agreement to commercial operation. The timeline depends on permitting complexity, interconnection queue, and construction scheduling. Kane Energy provides a detailed project timeline during the feasibility stage so your team knows exactly what to expect.
No. Kane Energy is responsible for all development, construction, operations, maintenance, and subscriber management. The city’s role is limited to providing the land and receiving the benefits. We provide regular updates and a dedicated contact, but the operational burden falls entirely on Kane Energy.
What landowners ask us
Lease rates depend on property size, location, and grid proximity. Typical rates range from $800 to $1,200 per acre per year, often exceeding agricultural rental income. Payments are fixed and guaranteed, with built-in escalators over the lease term.
Yes. A solar lease grants Kane Energy the right to use the surface of your property for the solar installation. You retain full ownership. You can sell the property, pass it to heirs, or use the remaining acreage as you see fit. The lease transfers with the land if you sell.
Kane Energy is contractually required to remove all equipment and restore the land to its original condition. A decommissioning bond is posted before construction to guarantee this. At the end of the lease, your land comes back to you clean and ready for any use.
No. Solar panels are mounted on driven-pile or ballasted racking systems that do not require concrete foundations or deep excavation. The ground beneath the panels is typically seeded with native grasses, which can actually improve soil health over the lease period. Many landowners find their soil in better condition after a solar lease than before.
Absolutely. The lease applies only to the acreage used for the solar installation. The rest of your property remains fully available for farming, grazing, or any other use. Many of our landowner partners continue farming the majority of their land.
Nothing. Kane Energy funds 100% of site evaluation, development, permitting, construction, and ongoing operations. The only cost you may choose to incur is hiring your own attorney to review the lease agreement, which we encourage.