Nexamp, a US community solar provider, has partnered with Starbucks to anchor the deployment of more than 40 MW of solar energy in Illinois communities through six new community solar projects.
Through the partnership, Starbucks will receive a portion of the renewable electricity credits as a result of its support for Nexamp's Illinois operations, and the companies hope to expand this program to additional locations nationwide.
"Starbucks is committed to our environmental promise to give more than we take, and we have a long history of renewable energy projects that bring clean energy to more communities," said Michael Kobori, Starbucks' Chief Sustainability Officer. "We're proud to support Nexamp's efforts to bring community solar into areas where it can have the most impact and make savings opportunities available to community members."
The renewable energy produced from the community solar projects will be allocated to area residents and businesses through Nexamp's community solar program, resulting in electricity savings for more than 1,100 local residents within the ComEd and Ameren utility territories.
"Community solar is a perfect way for retailers to make progress on their own sustainability goals while also playing a role in the build-out of renewable energy resources that have the ability to directly benefit their own customers. That was the case with Starbucks, which shares our vision of equitable access to community members," said Nexamp CEO Zaid Ashai.
These solar farms will create employment opportunities and accelerate Nexamp's workforce development initiatives in the state. Construction and operation of the projects will bring new jobs, including roles for participants in Nexamp's new fellowship programs.
Nexamp has also collaborated with organizations like City Colleges of Chicago, the Chicago Urban League, Uplift Community High School, 22C, and other Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) job training organizations for leading workforce development programs aimed at a wider range of communities.
Construction on the community solar projects is currently underway, and the sites are expected to be operational beginning in 2025.
