CleanCapital, a leading independent power producer specializing in distributed energy, has announced the upcoming completion of two major brownfield solar development projects — Yeoman Solar in Waukegan, Illinois, and Little Elk Solar in Elkton, Maryland. These initiatives reflect the company’s expertise in solar and energy storage development and its ongoing commitment to expanding small-scale distributed renewable energy generation to meet the growing demand for clean, reliable power.
The Yeoman Solar project, expected to begin operations by the end of 2025, is a 9.15 MW community solar installation located on the Yeoman Creek Landfill Superfund site, an area currently undergoing environmental remediation. A portion of the site, owned by the Waukegan Community Unit School District No. 60, is being converted into a renewable energy hub expected to generate around 13,036 MWh of electricity annually—enough to power more than 1,000 homes.
Participating in the Illinois Solar for All Low-Income Community Solar Pilot Program, the project will provide low-income households in Waukegan with electricity credits at a 50% discount, helping each participating household save an estimated $400 annually. CleanCapital has partnered with PowerMarket to oversee subscriber engagement and enrollment, while also extending an anchor subscription opportunity to the Waukegan school district, fostering deeper community collaboration.
Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd, highlighted the significance of the project, noting that Yeoman Solar is the largest community solar facility within the ComEd service area. He emphasized that its completion represents an important milestone for both CleanCapital and local customers who are seeking to lower their energy expenses, adding that ComEd looks forward to continued collaboration with CleanCapital to bring more renewable energy to the grid.
The second initiative, Little Elk Solar, is an 822 kW solar project also scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. It is located on an EPA Superfund site that once housed a paper mill and solvent recycling facilities. This project is a key example of how contaminated land can be repurposed for clean energy production.
Acquired through CleanCapital’s purchase of BQ Energy, a recognized national leader in landfill and brownfield renewable energy development, Little Elk Solar is expected to produce about 1,084 MWh of electricity per year. The project operates under Maryland’s Community Solar Energy Generation System Pilot Program, dedicating at least 50% of its energy to low- and moderate-income customers in the Delmarva region.
Paul Curran, Chief Development Officer at CleanCapital, remarked that both Yeoman and Little Elk projects demonstrate the transformative impact of turning brownfields and Superfund sites into productive clean energy assets. He emphasized that such projects bring affordable, dependable energy to local communities, directly reducing monthly electricity costs for residents.
Through these developments, CleanCapital continues to advance its mission of strengthening America’s clean energy leadership by investing in high-impact solar and energy storage projects. By transforming underutilized or contaminated land into renewable energy hubs, the company is helping to provide affordable access to clean power, contributing to long-term energy security and economic resilience across the United States.
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