Community Solar Opens on Former Coal Mine, Shining Light on the Future of Energy

Key Takeaways

• Two community solar projects opened in Woodford County, transforming the site of a 150-year-old coal mine into solar projects that provide clean energy. and cost savings to 650 subscribers, including Rush University Medical Center and the College of DuPage.

• For the first time in May 2026, solar energy surpassed coal in the total amount of electricity used in the US because solar is less expensive.

• Solar is one of the fastest-growing energy sources because projects can be built quickly, affordably, and at a wide range of sites, including former industrial land.

On June 16, two community solar projects opened in Minonk as part of the Illinois Shines Program. The commissioning of the projects was celebrated by Nexamp and TurningPoint Energy as a reclaiming of land that previously belonged to a coal site.

The two projects utilize 16,950 solar panels across about 40 acres of land and are capable of generating enough energy to power almost 1,650 average households. They will provide energy to 650 local subscribers, including institutions like Rush University Medical Center and the College of DuPage.

Illinois Reflects a National Shift From Coal to Solar

In January 2017, coal produced more than 30% of US energy compared to solar, which generated less than five percent. Halfway into 2026 solar has overtaken coal to become the third-biggest energy generator in the US, producing 12.8% of the nation’s energy compared to coal’s 12.2%. 

This shift is already evident at the state level. Over 7,400 coal mines have operated in Illinois since commercial mining began in the state in 1810, and coal still accounted for 45% of the state’s energy production in 1990, according to the Illinois Power Agency. As recently as 2024, however, that share has plummeted to less than 15% with fewer than 30 coal mines remaining open.

As reported by Nexamp, the former coal mine in Woodford County operated for 75 years during the late 19^th and 20^th centuries. The site extracted coal from the Colchester Coal Seam, polluting the environment prior to being shuttered, and it is now classified as a brownfield site. Before and throughout the clean energy transition, the site underwent required testing as part of the soil management plan. The testing ensured the safety of the workers and ruled out any risks associated with disturbing the polluted soil.

Solar’s Rapid Growth in Illinois and Nationwide

The new solar farms in Minonk opened as the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) recently reported Illinois ranks 6^th in the nation for total installed solar capacity in 2026, generating enough solar electricity to power almost 1.3 million homes.

Solar has rapidly caught up to coal in energy production because it is the most affordable energy source and the fastest to deploy. Solar projects typically take less than two years to install compared to coal’s up to six-year timeline, according to SEIA’s analysis of federal energy data.

How CRGA Supports Illinois’ Growing Solar Capacity

The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), signed by Governor JB Pritzker in January 2026, was designed to further expand Illinois’ production of solar energy. Specifically, by building battery storage and establishing Virtual Power Plant Programs (VPPs), CRGA can ensure that solar provides the energy grid with stable, reliable, and clean energy production.

This article was originally published July 22, 2026. It was fact checked by Solar Energy & Storage Association (ISEA) Executive Director Lesley McCain; ISEA Policy Director Regina McCormack; and Stephanie Burgos-Veras, Senior Policy Manager, Coalition for Community Solar Access.