Nautilus Solar Energy, a leading provider of community solar solutions in the United States, has announced the acquisition of nearly 11 megawatts-direct current (MWdc) of community solar projects in Illinois from Renewable Properties. Renewable Properties is a developer and investor specializing in small-scale utility solar, community solar, energy storage, and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure projects. These projects were developed as part of the Illinois Shines program, which promotes the expansion of solar energy in the state.
The acquired portfolio consists of two projects: the 7 MW Highway 20 Solar project, located in Kane County, Illinois, and the 4 MW Deep Lake project, situated in the Village of Antioch. Both projects are in the advanced stages of construction. The Highway 20 Solar project is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2025, while the Deep Lake project is projected to begin serving consumers enrolled in the Illinois Shines program by the end of 2026. Once fully operational, these two solar arrays will generate a combined 17,300 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy annually—equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 2,615 average Illinois households.
Eric Paul, Vice President of Partner Development for Nautilus Solar Energy, said in a statement, “This acquisition aligns with our mission to harness the power of the sun to create clean and reliable energy sources for a brighter future. By working with a seasoned development company like Renewable Properties to expand our community solar footprint in Illinois, we are empowering more residents and businesses to lower their electricity costs without the burden of costly up-front investments, ensuring that solar energy is both affordable and accessible.”
Aaron Halimi, Founder and President of Renewable Properties, mentioned, We’re grateful to be partnering with Nautilus Solar to complete these 11 MW for the Illinois Shines program. Nautilus shares our vision of not just making solar more accessible and affordable, but also building community solar projects in the local area where the solar energy will be generated and used by residents and businesses.”
As of 2025, Renewable Properties has over 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of solar, energy storage, and EV infrastructure under development across 16 states, with more than 250 MW currently under construction or in operation. The proceeds from this transaction will support Renewable Properties’ ongoing efforts to expand community solar and EV infrastructure, reinforcing its commitment to deploying local clean energy solutions across the United States.
